Darkest Dungeon II provides an extremely challenging, roguelike adventure for fans turn-based combat games. The difficulty will turn away some players, but those who stick with it will be rewarded by fun gameplay and a compelling story set in an astoundingly designed world.

Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid provides a gaming adventure as cozy as its name. Its stakes may be low, but it packs in plenty to accomplish and will have players feeling nostalgic for a time they may have never even experienced.

SNK VS. CAPCOM SVC CHAOS is a faithful port of the 2003 original, with a few extras thrown in for good measure. It’s not the best 2D fighting game around, but fans of the original will appreciate the extra details.

Arranger is a creative outing with a perfectly balanced sense of adventure. The light-hearted tone is coupled with the unique sliding mechanic to present something different and, most importantly, fun. This is a title worth checking out.

You went spend a lot of time in the escape room puzzles of The Star Named EOS, but the time you will spend there is fun, creative, and captivating.

Though some extras would’ve been beneficial, Parasol Stars is a likable release in many ways. It’s straightforward fun yet still offers plenty of excitement as you find secret doors, the “Hurry” message appears, and more. Bubble Bobble fans will want to scoop up this “third” entry, as will fans of quarter munchers, even if this classic skipped the arcades for the home console realm.

Elrentaros Wanderings is a well-crafted, well-designed game that is cleverly paced and set in an adorable fantasy world with great animation and movement. The combat is simple and the missions not particularly challenging, but even the elements that could be more fully realized don’t take away from the overall enjoyment of the game.

I’m not a fan of jumping puzzle games, but SCHiM managed to win me over. Its minimalist art style, inventive use of shadows and movement, and the idea that the game makes sure that messing up doesn’t feel too frustrating, kept me engaged level after level.

Overall, SPYxANYA: Operation Memories is a game for fans of the anime or manga it’s based on, but not for anyone else.

Morbid: The Lords of Ire is another in a long line of fighter games trying to be gory for gore’s sake. Although it’s mostly well done, there’s not much to differentiate it from the rest of the pack. Its visual quirks can be ignored, but it still seems to be a little less than what it could be.

NeoSprint updates the ’70s arcade racer with the modern features you’d expect from Atari: multiple racing modes, numerous tracks, a track builder, etc. Unfortunately, it locks most of the content behind the single-player campaign mode, and it doesn’t include online multiplayer. The fun is there, you just have to work to get to it.

Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is a fun, accessibly challenging game that looks fantastic on the Switch. There aren’t enough new elements or improvements to help it compare to Luigi’s Mansion 3, but it’s still an enjoyable romp, especially for those who didn’t visit Evershade Valley on the 3DS.

Monster Hunter Stories may be aimed at a younger audience than Capcom’s standard Monster Hunter games, but it still requires plenty of strategy when it comes to the turn-based fighting and reaching further in the game. If you’d rather collect and raise animals than hunt them, this is your story.

Braid, Anniversary Edition is the definitive version of a terrific platformer. This classic title has been enhanced with improved graphics, along with a detailed commentary integrated into the game itself. A lot of effort has been put into building something special, from 2008 until today.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate brings a new way of playing to fans of the green, teen heroes. The story, visuals, and gameplay are all great, though a few bugs hamper the experience. The simple roguelike elements won’t be too jarring for fans of the typical side-scrolling style of gameplay.

Megaton Musashi W: Wired has a good-enough story and decent-enough gameplay to keep mech enthusiasts entertained, but the real attraction lies in the myriad ways to customize and overpower your robot. Players will want to spend more time in the hangar than on the battlefield. I think that’s OK in this case, as the battlefield isn’t terribly exciting.

Beyond Good & Evil is proving a timeless game, and $19.99 for this 20th Anniversry edition with extras and updates is “beyond” fair. In truth, the original was already great back in the day, though being beloved by critics didn’t translate into high sales. So, I’m happy that this action-adventure is getting progressively more popular with the advancement of time, as it’s an outstanding game not to be missed!

Metal Slug Attack Reloaded is a massive disappointment. The bones of a fun game are there, but unfortunately, it’s dragged down by brutal spikes in difficulty, creating a game that verges on unplayable and certainly unenjoyable.

There’s No Dinosaurs 2 offers a cute hidden-object outing with enough extras to keep players engaged despite its simplicity.

Reigns: Beyond is a cute, quirky adventure with excellently designed art, music, and storytelling delivered in a simple yet engaging format that works better on the Switch than most other mobile-friendly games.

If you find a seed of promise in the silly title of Epic Dumpster Bear 1.5 DX: Dumpster Fire Rebirth, you will not be disappointed in the least. This enhanced version of the Wii U game must be played in earnest if you want to complete the levels, and the healthy balance of challenge and whimsy will make it a quite endearing addition to your game library.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak takes a while to get moving, but is otherwise as J as JRPGs can get. A new cast of characters and the new settings make it more accessible than previous Trails releases on the Switch, and gameplay tweaks will please those who don’t enjoy the grind of turn-based combat and complex party management.

Overall, Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior is a solid game. The strategy portion mixed with the hack ‘n’ slash was well done, though I didn’t care for the game forcing you to switch up your gameplay style throughout the entire experience.

Cat Pipes has a cute premise that isn’t executed well. Apart from lackluster graphics ,the tutorial is broken. While the puzzles are somewhat fun, there’s not much challenge and nothing beneath the surface.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance adds enough new content and fixes enough problems to more than justify this update. It’s a much better experience overall, and is an easy recommendation for JRPG gamers…especially if you lost your way during the original release.

I appreciate that Times and Galaxy is a very different vision of what a game can attempt to do. It reminds me of the games I used to play on the Apple ][ in my school library, where the idea was to teach lateral thinking. But while I enjoy the weird idea, a new mechanic, time-wasting NPCs, and game-ending bugs simply make for a bad front page.

Fruit Mountain is an enjoyable little puzzle title that changes the fruit-merging formula just enough to make it stand out. With sweet visuals and a couple of modes, plus online leaderboards, there’s plenty to make this one worth checking out for fans of the genre.

Ultra Foodmess 2 is a bargain bin collection of ten mini games that mostly stand up pretty well. It’s easy to pick up and play for some local multiplayer fun, and that’s definitely the best way to enjoy it; there’s no online play, and the AI opponents aren’t much competition.

Despite its pitfalls, Dicefolk was one of the more fun roguelikes I’ve played. It successfully tantalized me with the idea that this might be the time that I managed to pull a team together, after crushing me again and again.

Bread & Fred is a unique platformer with moments of brilliance and frustration in equal measure. It looks lovely and has a great approach to co-op gaming, along with the inclusion of Jeff in single-player mode. It’s hard, so grab a patient partner if you want to enjoy this one.

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

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door lives up to the hype as a “page-turning adventure.” It’s also a long adventure, so be sure to pencil in the time, especially if you’re a completionist. With memorable bosses, much to find, and plenty of extras, this game will keep Switch players busy.

TP Bullet is a simple-yet-fun platformer with a unique twist. It might lack many features but the puzzle-platformer mechanics are solid, providing a true brain teaser.

Tales from Candleforth uses escape room-like mechanics to help its protagonist not only find her missing grandmother and uncover the secrets she left behind, but also to realize her own powers. With creepy imagery, this 2D, hand-drawn game is sure to catch and hold the attention of point-and-click puzzle/adventure gamers.

If you’re a die-hard South Park fan looking for a humorous game to play with friends, South Park: Snow Day could be a good choice for a short, mildly fun experience. However, if you’re seeking a lengthy, more enthralling adventure like the previous South Park titles, this game will fall short of your expectations.

Read Only Memories: NEURODIVER revisits the world of Neo San Francisco, presenting new characters and an interesting story to unravel. The voice work and graphics are lovely, though the run time is a little on the short side. If you enjoyed 2064, you’ll likely enjoy this stripped-down experience; just be aware that there’s less to this outing than its predecessor.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance is an open-world immersive world action RPG. You can go anywhere. You can make a lot of choices in terms of what your character will do. There are so many options and choices, in fact, that it becomes intoxicated with how immersive it is and forgets to be fun to play.

Wrath: Aeon of Ruin is a well-made game with a classic first-person shooter look and feel. There is some story to be had, but we’re really here to kill freaky critters and save the world, right?

Overall, if you’re looking for a game that’s on the shorter side and a fun roguelite experience, NecroBouncer is a great choice.

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

Goliath Depot effectively pays tribute to early ’80s arcade gameplay, and would’ve fit right in next to the machines that inspired it. Although aimed at classic gamers, modern features such as leaderboards, level randomizers, and a speedrun mode should help it appeal to a wider audience.

Please Fix the Road is a charming puzzle game full of brain-teasing paths to fix. It sports cute aesthetics and a simple concept that keeps you on your toes in a relaxing environment. This budget title offers plenty of puzzles to keep you coming back until you solve them all.

Overall, Pine Hearts is a short and (bitter)sweet title. If you’re looking for a new cozy adventure that tells an amazing story in a sensitive manner, then certainly give this one a go.

Rainbow Cotton is a lot of fun. It’s one of those games you can grab quickly and not have to drop hours on. The cutscenes between levels will make the kids giggle at the antics of Cotton and her friend as they journey to get candy.

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

Rose and Camellia Collection offers a glimpse into an intriguing yet tragically under-developed world that has moments of great humour, but teases a much better game than it is. It is brief, inconsistent, and relies on its one unique (and undeniably fun) mechanic far too much to feel complete.

I had fun with PAC-MAN Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs when I first started playing. However, the longer I played, the more bored I got.

Moonglow Bay failed to hook me, but as the debut game from a small studio, it’s a solid enough start overall for the subset of gamers who haven’t yet had their fill of titles like this. I hope the team can tighten their focus and gameplay mechanics for their next release.

In Paper Trails, you help a girl, Page, follow her dream of attending university awaits. The player helps Page avoid obstacles by folding papers into paths on which she can travel. It’s a fun, challenging mechanic that provides hours of clever gameplay for puzzle enthusiasts.

Endless Ocean Luminous continues the relaxing series, changing a few things but keeping the core mechanics in place. It’s easy to lose yourself in this environment, though newcomers like myself might enjoy it moreso. I genuinely enjoyed my time in the water and will continue diving for some time to come.

For fans of Mega Man, Sonic the Hedgehog, and a host of platforming classics, it’s hard not to recommend Berserk Boy. The plot may not turn heads, but the fluid controls and presentation should. Will this game make you “Go Berserk?” Perhaps. Here’s hoping for an 8-bit demake to follow.

One Last Breath is an ambitious game set in an artfully creepy world, with some great ideas in its foundation that unfortunately don’t shine through as well as they could in its mechanics or storytelling.

Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- Sweep the Board! offers a unique take on party board games and anime-based games in general. It’s an easy recommendation for fans of the series, but those simply seeking a truly fresh spin on a somewhat perfunctory formula should enjoy it regardless of their mastered breathing style.

Overall, Ready, Steady, Ship! is a solid game. The controls were unfriendly at times, but the music was fun to listen to, and the level design was well done.

Little Kitty, Big City is a joyful experience that successfully emulates playing the role of a cat. This sweet and relaxing game provides plenty to do in an easy-to-navigate environment that’s ripe for exploring. I appreciate the work the developers have put into this, and I hope they get a chance to create similar titles in the future.

As poignant and important as its predecessor, Not Tonight 2 utilises its addictive gameplay and rich storytelling to tackle some of contemporary America’s most divisive issues in a way that manages to stay fun and humorous.

As open-world action RPGs go, Biomutant has some appeal. And if you’re into it, there’s a good level of replayability with the skills balance and hero-type selections. Most players, however, are likely to lose interest before reaching the end.

Anglerfish is full of surprises. While its quirky sense of humor, strong horror elements, and high death rate will keep you on your toes, it won’t be for everyone. If you like scary titles with a wicked sense of humor, Anglerfish is worth checking out.

Mimi the Cat: Mimi’s Scratcher is a cute puzzle game in which you help a little, white cat reach her scratcher. It’s not a game that will hold your attention for long, but at only $5.00, it’s priced appropriately for an occasional quick diversion.

Class of Heroes 1&2: Complete Edition brings the turn-based, PSP dungeon crawlers Class of Heroes: Anniversary Edition and Class of Heroes 2G: Remaster Edition to the Switch, but not in a way that’s accessible or fun. You have better options. Use them.

There are certainly elements of Tamarak Trail that it would be nice to see given more of an opportunity to shine. However, the aspects that have been a core focus are very polished, resulting in an addictive game that checks all the boxes for its genre at a reasonable price for the gameplay you get.

With more polish on the audio, the levels, and the enemies, Metal Mind would stand a better chance against all of the other big indie rouge-lites and rouge-likes. Unfortunately, the game just isn’t there yet.

Mediterranea Inferno is a unique visual novel. Multiple endings allow for replayability, though the drug-induced sequences and unlikeable characters won’t be for everyone. Nor will the explicit content. If you like your indie titles on the more obscure side, though, this one might be worth checking out.

The latest, though not greatest from Digital Eclipse (due to some lapses in storytelling), Llamasoft The Jeff Minter Story, still offers a good experience. For a certain demographic of gamers, it could be a nostalgic-filled romp. Those with an appreciation for gaming history will be entertained, even if the shortage of content makes this package feel more like a volume 1.

Anomaly Agent is a fast, slick adventure through time. This small indie team has done a great job with this, its first game, paving the way for a promising future. Despite a few little technical glitches, this is one title worth checking out.

Cricket Through The Ages was a unique experience. I enjoyed my time with it, but I’ll probably rarely pick it up again. As soon as you play it once, you’ll have your fill.

Make Way is a unique take on the racing genre. However, the controls take time to get used to, and you’ll need to grind a lot to unlock the basic features of the game.

Initial frustration with balloon navigation eventually clears to let the lighter puzzle and platforming elements of Passing By – A Tailwind Journey create an overall pleasant experience. Even with survival elements, however, gameplay may be a bit too cozy and relaxed to hold players’ attention.

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.

Splatoon 3’s Side Order DLC puts players into a rogue-like single-player campaign as Agent 8, tasked with rescuing Marina and her friends from the mysterious Deca Tower. Each run through the tower offers a new set of challenges and opportunities to customize abilities and weapons, leading to multiple playthroughs and strategic planning. While some levels may prove more challenging, especially with unfamiliar weapons, Side Order offers a refreshing departure from multiplayer chaos with its replay value and different gameplay options.

As far as 2D horror platformers go, Unlife is about as indie as they can get. Grammar errors, UI issues, and awkward controls abound, but they somehow add to the B movie charm if you’re in the right mood. It’s not a game I’d recommend to most, but to those to whom I would recommend it, I’d do so with gusto.

Cat and the Ghostly Road is a point-and-click adventure game that involves solving puzzles, exploring new dimensions, and helping out creatures and spirits, all to save your master. The puzzles are challenging enough to keep you from getting bored, but there’s also no real sense of danger in the game, which keeps it relaxing and fun.

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.

Astro Duel 2 is a neat combination of two popular genres. The simple setup is fun, despite my initial issues with the controls. It could benefit from a little more variety and some kind of story mode to tie it all together, but it’s an enjoyable fun time regardless.

Loretta is an intriguing, often chilling adventure game throwback to cinema noir and pulp fiction. Complex characters and even more complex plot layers stack for an experience that’s meant to be enjoyed multiple times. Its themes are not for the faint of heart, but we could say the same about life in general, can’t we?

A weird, beautifully rendered combination of Limbo and Super Mario Brothers, Saviorless is an interesting take on an action-platformer.

Freedom Planet 2 is an enjoyable, creative, and pretty release overall. With a bit more polish and fleshing out in the writing, I feel it could be a truly amazing game. But as is, it’s definitely more expanded than the more simplistic first title.

Pepper Grinder is a platformer that wears its inspiration on its sleeve, with collectibles, checkpoints, and more in tow. It adds a unique spin to the formula with the addition of a drill mechanic, creating a fun-yet-tough experience that’s satisfying to conquer. It’s not a super-long game, but the challenge will keep you busy for some time regardless.

Princess Peach: Showtime! is a welcome return to the spotlight for our favorite princess. It oozes charm, with loads of variety, providing plenty to do across multiple transformations, levels, and modes. It’s not super difficult, but it’s so entertaining that I don’t care. There are also multiple challenges and collectibles to keep players coming back for more.

Developer Fallen Squirrel worked with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) to create The Vale: Shadow of the Crown for blind gamers, but it should appeal to anyone who enjoys a good action adventure. What it lacks in visuals it makes up for with its unique use of familiar RPG elements and its stunning audio presentation. The Vale’s somewhat repetitive gameplay doesn’t outlast its welcome.

Unicorn Overlord is one of the best tactical strategy RPGs to have been released for the Nintendo Switch. Maybe one of the best games, period. No matter which series first made you a fan of the genre, Unicorn Overlord will help you discover that thrill all over again.

Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore parodies a pair of uncanonical Zelda games while ensuring its experience is more than a one-note joke. The realization of these efforts makes for a good game, but one whose appeal may be limited. Still, the attention to detail here demands respect. How about following up on this release by mocking CD-i’s top-down take, Zelda’s Adventure, next?

UDO: Unidentified Drilling Object manages to have some success despite itself. While its numerous little issues accumulate into some unpolished real annoyances, it has that “one more time” element down, even with repetitiveness. I’m convinced there’s enough good here that a sequel should jettison the roguelike confines. Udo deserves to be a proper platforming adventure where it can drill a more unique identity.

It’s simple; if you’re a Picross fan, you’ll enjoy this game. If you’re a Story of Seasons fan and you like Picross, you’ll really enjoy this game. With over 300+ puzzles, Piczle Cross: Story of Seasons is a great addition to the growing library of Picross games on the Nintendo Switch. It’s highly recommended if you enjoy puzzle games, or pixel art.

"Ultimate” in terms of content and options but not in enjoyment, Ultimate Racing 2D 2 makes a poor first impression and fails to recover. If it looks interesting to you, I’d suggest its predecessor for half the price. This game has more to it, but it’s a case where less would’ve been more. I hope the devs take a prolonged pitstop before the third entry.

The Legend of Legacy HD Remastered for Switch does a decent job of modernizing the visuals of the 2015 3DS game, but the important issues from the original still remain. Its lack of story and the difficulty spikes with its unique combat system make it hard to recommend to anyone other than the most fervent of JRPG fans.

Rough Justice ‘84 has a great concept and ’80s setting. Unfortunately, it’s executed poorly on the Switch. Despite the cool soundtrack, there are other audio issues. The idea of solving cases might be a fun concept, but this is hard to recommend. The poor controls and user interface make this one to avoid.

A very worthy addition to the Demagog repertoire, Highwater builds on the gorgeous and provocative world of the studio’s other games with a story-driven escape from a flooded planet. It is a sharp critique of late stage capitalism, but it populates the devastated world with a touching story, wholesome characters, and surprisingly engaging combat.

If you can get by the minor annoyances and want to hop on a game for a quick session before doing something like mowing your real lawn, Lawn Mowing Simulator is perfect for you. Its wide variety of implements, contracts, landscapes, and gameplay modes will keep business sim fans engaged well past the mowing season.

Ufouria: The Saga 2 is a fun platformer full of cuteness and quirkiness. The colors and music pop, and the platforming is simple yet solid, though the adventure could be considered too easy for veterans.

Grime Definitive Edition is a fascinating action-platforming experience that I can’t recommend experiencing on the Switch. Its unique visual and narrative presentations will compel genre fans to the end, but the game would surely be better enjoyed without Switch performance problems dragging it down.

The turn-based card battler Reigns: Three Kingdoms may not be exactly what you think when you first start, but it’s a good game worth adding to your deck-building library.

As far as arcade puzzle games go, Quadroids will likely be a bit too much for most single players to wrap their brain around. If you’re not worried about leaderboards, however, there’s plenty of fun to be had when taking on the mind-bending action with others.

Bahnsen Knights does a great job at keeping fans of visual novel adventures involved. It’s fun and unique story, visuals, and occasional minigames make it hard to put down, and it never feels repetitive or slow across the few hours it takes to complete it.

Lil Guardsman is a delightful game that draws you into the complex and nuanced story of a well-constructed fantasy world and explores its political turmoil. The characters and dialogue are wonderfully written, with a great sense of humor and clear indication that your choices, no matter how small, make an impact.

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.

AdventureQuest 8-Bit: Dungeons & Doomknights has its heart in the right place, but it relies a bit too much on parody to appeal to most gamers. Gameplay is outweighed by the comedy, leaving a generally flat experience if you’re not in on the joke.

Looking Up I See Only A Ceiling is a short, point-and-click adventure game that tells the story of a young girl whose stress leads her down some strange paths. The game can be played in as little as 30 minutes, but it does a great job conveying its message while remaining fun and haunting.