Tiny Thor is a cute, colorful 2D platformer with a fun, nostalgic style. But an over-reliance on genre tropes and under utilization of its mythological source material mean it doesn’t stand out from the wealth of similar games.

While technical issues can hinder the experience, they don’t eclipse the overall brilliance of the turn-based RPG, Virgo Versus the Zodiac. With some patches to address glitches and the addition of an auto-save feature, this game could reach even greater heights.

Overall, Mr. Run and Jump is a colorful, tricky platformer that will get your heart racing. If you relish the challenge of replaying levels until you get them right, or collecting everything in sight, you’ll get a kick (and a run and a jump) out of this one.

A strikingly beautiful game, Chants of Sennaar takes you on a journey through a number of finely crafted cultures that challenge your puzzle skills and absorb you fully into the looming secrets of the labyrinth.

Rune Factory 3 Special is a life/farming simulation game originally released for the DS in 2009. Remade, it’s now playable on the Switch. Fight monsters, grow and harvest crops, sell loot, cook, fish, and raise your relationship levels with the villagers in this very interactive and fun game.

The arcade games that comprise Taito Milestones 2 may not be well-known, but that doesn’t mean there’s no fun to be found here. The collection focuses heavily on shoot ’em ups and platformers, and the best titles come from those genres. The brawlers, unfortunately, are best left forgotten.

Moving Out 2 provides more of the same slapstick shenanigans in a world of clumsy movers and fragile items. The silly humor is present and accounted for with more levels to conquer while you laugh along. The developers have played it safe with minor changes that improve the experience overall.

Everdream Valley has the potential to become a good farming game, and there were times when I really enjoyed myself just working on the farm and training my animals. But the short story, underwhelming ending, and gameplay issues were a turnoff.

The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood is an immaculately constructed game, with gorgeous design, realistic characters, rich emotional punches, and choices that genuinely resonate through the narrative.

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.

Pikmin may be a somewhat overlooked Nintendo franchise, but it’s also consistently one of their best. Pikmin 4 is arguably the best game in the series, making it a perfect place for newcomers to start. And if you’ve played the previous games, it’s a fantastic reward for your patience between releases.

Might & Magic – Clash of Heroes: Definitive Edition’s nearly perfect combination of puzzle and RPG elements make for engrossing gameplay that’s only occasionally hampered by frustration with the components that involve random luck. Whether this is your first playthrough or a double (or even triple) dip, it’s not to be missed.

This May Madness Lies blends JRPG elements with the world of William Shakespeare. It has a lot going for it, from a humorous story to a wonderful 16-bit styling that smacks of classic ‘90s titles. It’s not the toughest or longest title, but fans of anime, Shakespeare, or JRPGs in general, will find much enjoyment here.

Cross Tails is one of KEMCO’s more unique releases in quite some time. Although the story never surprises, the gameplay mechanics of this isometric, tactical JRPG certainly do. Turn-based combat fans shouldn’t let this one slip past without serious consideration.

It’s a shame that the unique elements of Onigo Hunter (monster acquisition, map trimming) have only a marginal impact. You’re left with a generic RPG, the kind that many uninformed associate with the publisher. This game could be comfort food to grab on sale, but there are superior offerings from this publisher.

Brain Show is a snarky trivia game (aren’t they all these days?) in which up to eight (local) players face challenges involving questions centered around pretty much any category you can think of. Hosted like a TV game show, Brain Show has a fun sense of humor that keeps things enjoyable and challenging.

Super Dinoblasters is a fun little indie platformer that provides an enjoyable experience at a discount price. With retro throwbacks and visuals, you can tell a lot of love has been put into development. With some minor tweaks and a speed increase, plus a few more levels, this one has real potential.

Although the story in the adventure puzzle game Frank and Drake takes a while to get going, it does eventually draw you in. There are several, non-linear paths to complete the game, allowing you to play through several times and explore all the options and elements. And the unique, rotoscoped animation looks great through each time.

Smushi Come Home is a genuinely adorable exploration game with a simple, idyllic world to explore and fun characters to interact with. It offers a pleasant adventure to while away an afternoon or two.

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!

Flutter Away is a very peaceful and relaxing collection game in which you explore the rainforest, capture new butterfly species on camera, and befriend capybaras. Though it is a very simple and quick playthrough, Flutter Away provides a warm and fun environment to explore while it lasts.

Road Builder had the potential to be a great game. However, the main mode was broken, and there wasn’t much else to do with a limited custom mode and lack of online play.

Homebody is a horror puzzle/adventure in which you must escape a house filled not only with old friends and awkward conversations, but also a murderer. The combination of puzzle solving and detection avoidance combine for a tense but accessible—and surprisingly emotional—experience.

Fitness Circuit offers a convenient, flexible, and thorough way to get in some guided exercise. The visuals look like an anime adventure, the audio is well done, and the controls are easy to use. Kudos to the developers, as Fitness Circuit is an easy recommendation for your Switch library.

Overall, ProtoCorgi is a fun shooter that’s deceptively difficult. The builder mode adds some longevity, especially at its budget price. The retro cartoony design is also great, creating an overall enjoyable shooter that stands out from the crowd.

Garlic is difficult retro platformer that manages to be accessible to those normally put off by “difficult,” “retro,” and “platformer.” Copious checkpoints and a fun mix of styles, visuals, and mini-games should push even the more casual gamers through. Give Garlic a try; the taste may surprise you.

For those familiar with this long-time simulation/strategy series, Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening may feel like a warm welcome home. But as a newcomer, I found the game a confusing mess, and the Switch version frustrated my every attempt to enjoy playing it.

Skye Tales is a cute and cozy adventure puzzle game, short enough to enjoy over a weekend. Yet, it’s also long enough that a player might lose interest halfway through as the way to solve puzzles becomes quite repetitive.

Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg is an effectively updated version of the original Atelier game from Gust. Beneath its modern sheen is a short, retro adventure that forgoes the intricate combat and crafting of the modern Atelier games. Instead, it focuses on a time management loop that’s open enough to warrant multiple playthroughs for those seeking a cute and gentle journey.

I know I’ve spent a lot of time discussing my qualms with this new formula for Zelda games but I did still enjoy myself. Don’t get me wrong, everyone should play Tears of the Kingdom. The new outfits to find are fun and varied, the caves are really interesting and Ultrahand has some fun uses. It is an incredible achievement but it’s just not what I’m looking for in Zelda games. That’s a shame for those of us that want those classic elements back. I don’t think the Zelda ‘formulas’ are mutually exclusive. I think there’s a better balance they can strike but they’re not there yet. I can only hope Nintendo takes stock of the sincere critiques of these two Zelda games and find ways to accommodate all Zelda fans moving forward.

Speed Crew is a fun game to play with the family or a group of friends, but I don’t recommend playing by yourself. If you’re a fan of co-op games like Overcooked or Moving out, Speed Crew will be a game you enjoy. However, if you’re looking for something to play alone, I’d skip this one.

Bleak Sword DX is a tough sword-slashing adventure that stands out thanks to its interesting visuals and standalone levels. Although this exciting outing feels fresh and looks great, the difficulty level may be too high for some players.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the gift that keeps on giving. Who knows what the future holds for the franchise? For now, this latest wave provides more fun and excitement to tide us over until the final round of tracks heads away later this year.

Etrian Odyssey II HD follows a nearly identical path to its prequel while boasting some features that embellish the fun of the original. It pairs a very similar storyline and gameplay with equally refreshed graphics and music to celebrate its port to the Switch.

Atlus gave DS series fans more of what they enjoyed with this entry. Now, thanks to SEGA’s publishing, additional players can experience what all the fuss was about. It’s unnecessary for me to extend this review any further with nostalgic gushing or flirts with spoilers. To conclude, while newcomers might prefer starting with the first game to determine if its repetition becomes addictive, existing fans might find Etrian Odyssey III HD is the installment they want.

Fans of All Elite Wrestling should feel quite comfortable within the sometimes goofy but always engaging AEW: Fight Forever. Technically, there’s room for improvement, but the game nails the AEW tone and arcade gameplay that are the reasons many wrestling game fans have been seeking for quite some time.

Ray’z Arcade Chronology does what it should as a shmup. Lots of things shoot at you and you shoot at lots of things as you learn the required patterns. There’s desperation and frustration to overcome as you deal with the copious dying. And it all leads to the thrill of finally taking out the boss. While not every aspect of the game is stellar for what it contributes, this is a fun collection that’s worthy of a spot in your Switch library.

A lower learning curve gives Garden Simulator accessibility the genre isn’t known for. The lack of touchscreen support is a negative worth noting, but the overall title (quirks and all) evens out as something worth digging a little deeper into.

Although the two games that compose the Lara Croft collection are actually Tomb Raider spin-offs, they provide a local multiplayer experience that will entertain arcade-action fans and achievement-seekers alike. They’re also a reminder of what we used to love about the Tomb Raider games.

If you’re looking for something that’s creepy without being violent are gory, the puzzle game Smile for Me is for you. It effectively uses its low-fi graphics and video to create a point-and-click adventure that unnerves you without resorting to jump scares and violence.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails Into Reverie works best as a thank-you gift for fans of the series. It contains (and often enhances) everything turn-based JRPG fans loved about the previous games, but it’s unfortunately presented in a disjointed manner that may put off those who’d just like to continue with the story. And if you haven’t played a previous entry, do not start here.

To the Rescue! is a cute management sim in which you run a dog shelter that houses and helps dogs find their new homes. Taking care of the dogs, the building, and the finances makes for a fun and highly interactive experience.

Convergence: A League of Legends story is a fun Metroidvania-style game fans of the genre should keep on their radar. Its smart platforming, tough enemies, and unique eye-catching visuals make for a really fun experience that doesn’t overstay its welcome. Its lack of backtracking will definitely divide fans of the genre, who either will love the simple “you see everything in your first go” or become upset that there isn’t a reason to go back. Convergence does also suffer from performance problems on Nintendo Switch, which, while not game breaking, will make your experience even harder. That said, Convergence: A League of Legends story is quite a fun time and a great way to get into the larger League of Legends universe.

Despot’s Game is an unusual combination of genres that adds something fresh to the scene. It’s fast-paced and enjoyable in short bursts, with upgrades that help keep things interesting. The randomized runs won’t be for everyone, but they’re fun while they last, despite a lackluster control scheme.

Ash of Gods: The Way is a unique take on the deck building genre that fans of said genre should check out. It follows the usual “collect cards and build a better deck” that most deckbuilders follow but with the fun twist of leaning more into tactical strategy battles. Add in the potential to have different characters in a battle, which may change the rules of said battle, and you’ve got yourself a game that never has two of the same battles. Ash of Gods: The Way does make you feel like you’re always at the disadvantage going into literally every battle, regardless of the deck you’ve built. Regardless, Ash of Gods: The Way is a fun enough take on the deckbuilding genre that you should definitely give it a look.

Super Mega Baseball 4 has a bit more competition on the Nintendo Switch than it used to with the likes of MLB The Show 22 and MLB The Show 23 but it’s still the king of arcade style baseball games. Since MLB has moved beyond the R.B.I. Baseball series, there’s really not much else in this genre. If you’re looking for a fast, fun, easy to pick up and play baseball game, Super Mega Baseball 4 is gonna be right up your alley!

Panic Porcupine is a fast-paced Sonic and Meat Boy mashup/clone with a fun, vintage feel. Are you looking for a relaxing game? You’ve come to the wrong place; Panic Porcupine is hard. After a while, it can feel a little repetitive too. However, it’s at least easy to pick up, feeling familiar and nostalgic. I recommend it to anyone looking for a challenge.

While I can’t say I’ll reach for this over its predecessors, Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! Is a good (replayable) entry more often than not, and recommended. Younger players and families who can enjoy local co-op should have this higher on their wishlist than solo players who might wait for a sale (or update with more online options). The new Puzzle Bobble vs. Space Invaders is a sizable draw!

In SUBNET – Escape Room Adventure, you have to solve puzzles in an escape room type-of-way in order to progress and save the subway from a vicious terrorist attack. It’s not the most original puzzle game out there, but the eerie environment and diverse puzzles make for a fun time that’s well worth the asking price.

Decarnation is a unique horror puzzler that tries to make sense of the main character’s emotional breakdown in ways that don’t make sense. It effectively keeps players off balance throughout, but also in ways that knock the gameplay off balance, unfortunately.

You can tell Etrian Odyssey isn’t a game that is particularly optimised for the Switch but, despite its age, it is still a lot of fun, with a unique cartography feature that makes it stand out from other dungeon-crawlers and well worth preserving.

With all of the various areas to explore, skills to expand, weapons to collect, and so on, there is quite a lot of play time to be had in this action RPG. All things considered (including the asking price of only $17.99), Lost Epic is a very good game.

Animal Shelter Simulator has a cute premise to care for dogs and cats. The gameplay is fun but can get repetitive. Also, the controls are clunky to start until you get used to them.

Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp is a faithful reintroduction to the series for new and long-time fans. It’s great to have Advance Wars back in our lives, with updated visuals and voicework that bring this title to life. Hopefully, this means the beginning of all-new adventures for Orange Star!

Afterimage is a Metroidvania with attractive 2D visuals and crisp combat, and it really wants to make sure you’ve earned any victories you get. The action is tricky, especially with the numerous bosses that are smarter than what you may be used to. But if you’re up to the challenge, you’ll find the game’s rewards.

Strayed Lights is a beautiful game that tells an abstract yet meaningful story. However, its unique battle system grew repetitive, and some performance issues took some of the fun away.

Murtop is an ’80s arcade throwback that will challenge your reactions and sense of timing in a whimsical (bordering on endearingly silly) world. It is sometimes frustrating working through a level to get things just right, but that’s the nature of the game. It’s a good dose of idle time fun for almost all ages.

Lost Dream Darkness ran smoothly, and I enjoyed listening to twenty minutes of nature. However, this title had no purpose, no direction, and an abrupt, unsatisfying ending.

Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened is a fine adventure game that adds in a unique supernatural twist to Sherlock Holmes. The game is at its best when you focus on the supernatural storyline and is at its most boring when it wants you to do anything else. The overall Switch port is quite poor, with poor graphics, constant rendering issues, and poor framerate ruining the experience. Diehard Sherlock Holmes fans that own a Switch may find some fun here, but for everyone else, maybe look elsewhere for a fun adventure rather than pick up Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened.

Drill Deal – Oil Tycoon is an interesting concept for a business simulator. However, the gameplay grows repetitive after a while, and the beginning is difficult to start.

Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly is a refreshing visual novel filled with relatable characters and amazing intertwining stories. The controls are simple, with fun, minimal gameplay. The music and sound effects fit in well with the coffee shop ambiance.

Gematombe is a fun and simple block-breaking game. It’s cute and colorful with an amusingly silly story. Despite a few modes to keep you entertained, they rely on the same block-mechanic, which can lead to tedium. Hopefully the developer can breathe life into this one via DLC or other updates.

Farming Simulator 23 is a well-executed title for what it is, and it even offers touch screen support for handheld players. However, it’s the type of game that’s best appreciated when you’re in the right mood. If and when that moment strikes, it can serve as a good, if somewhat repetitive way to unwind.

No Place Like Home is a post-apocalyptic farming adventure/sim in which you play as a girl searching for her missing grandpa before she moves to Mars. The game’s hopeful story and effective balance of farming, decorating, fighting, and upgrading tools will keep players involved from start to finish.

Teslagrad Remastered heightens and celebrates everything that made the original 2D puzzle platformer special in a way that has ported expertly to the Switch without losing any of the charm or magic.

The Last Spell is a fun and complicated tactical RPG. The gameplay alternates between building components and turn-based fighting, providing plenty to do here. It’s a lot to take in, especially initially, but there’s plenty of fun (and horror) to be had.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed is an absolutely essential component of the Xenoblade Chronicles trilogy. Combat and exploration are tightly refined to keep things moving along, so there’s never a dull moment unless you choose to take a breather. The story relies heavily on nostalgia for its emotional moments, but fans will be pleased that some of the loose ends are finally tied together, albeit with knots they likely didn’t expect.

Melon Journey: Bittersweet Memories is a unique journey into an interesting world. There’s a lot to uncover and enjoy as you explore, with neat retro graphics and soundtrack. This is one to check out, although a glitch (which is hopefully now patched) does mar things slightly—be sure to save regularly.

Tin Hearts offers puzzle gamers a touching story and plenty of challenges across its 40+ levels, some of which are quite lengthy and rewarding. However, user interface issues, inconsistent graphics, and a few odd development decisions make toy time a little less fun than it could have been.

Process of Elimination is a fun visual novel in which you must solve a murder mystery on an island of super-detectives. Actual gameplay is light, but the bonkers story, mini-games, and detective puzzles make this a mystery worth solving.

Pronty is a fun underwater metroidvania, with a sprawling map sprinkled with fun yet unforgiving bosses and a unique combat system. Its story is simple, but has a clear environmental message that resonates without being laid on too thick.

Even with an inconveniently designed save system, Lunark is a game I’ll look back fondly on for reaching the highest of highs. It’s easily one of my favorite titles in recent years, one I’ll undoubtedly revisit. A must-play for cinematic platformer fans, Lunark’s full of surprises, bound to leave lasting positive impressions with players. If this is indie studio Canari Games’ first release, I can’t wait to see what they come up with next.

Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania DLC is an absolute triumph that everyone should play. It’s one of the few times we get a DLC to a modern game that absolutely nails the classic gaming franchise it took inspiration from. The game looks, sounds, and absolutely plays like a classic Castlevania adventure. The soundtrack will leave you jamming in your head for hours at iconic Castlevania tunes. Its overall shorter game length will ultimately disappoint you, as the DLC is so good you wish it didn’t end as soon as it does.

The price may be a bit high for a cartoonish card game, but Pirates Outlaws is fun and light-hearted. Better, it has good playability and re-playability with its numerous locations and different heroes to engage in epic battles.

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.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza & the Lost Demon is a charming action/puzzle game. Hardcore Bayonetta fans may not have much interest in seeing their heroine during her formative early years, but their loss is the gain of anyone seeking a wonderfully presented and consistently clever adventure.

Nuclear Blaze is an absolute blast. The 2D platforming and fire-based puzzles keep you on your toes while unraveling a mystery. There’s something satisfying about clearing a room of flames, not to mention rescuing cute kittens. Despite its short runtime, this one comes highly recommended.

Pupperazzi is just as cute as it sounds. Taking photos of dogs is easy and fun, though its simplicity may result in a lack of follow-through. Still, there’s something endearing and relaxing about snapping pics of happy pooches.

POST VOID takes you on a nightmare-ish trip (wink) to a place where violence is the answer. This addicting and adrenaline-pumping game is a solid addition to Nintendo’s FPS library. It is short yet offers plenty of replayability as void jumping takes a lot of determination, skill and speed. It is a nod at shooters reminiscent of titles from the ‘80s and scratches that itch for something to play in bursts or put in the time to speed through in one go without the need to gamble all of your spare quarters.

The horror adventure game, Bramble: The Mountain King, effectively contrasts terrifying imagery with the pastoral scenery of its Nordic setting. Horror isn’t generally my thing, but the compelling story and captivating music were more than enough to carry me through this dark tale.

Kraino Origins is a brief platforming game that allows plenty of room for replayability. It’s challenging enough to keep going without wanting to rage quit. The graphics are charming, the music is fun, and the controls are simple and smooth.

Gripper combines adrenaline-pumping race sections with top-down boss fights. The high difficulty provides a challenge, though the gameplay sometimes works against itself to make it a little too difficult. The impressive soundtrack stands out, however this title is unlikely to have you coming back to after your umpteenth deathstroke.

Flame Keepers fast paced combat system is the best part about this game. I really enjoyed running around and testing out all of my new skills and abilities on the various monsters lurking around. The downside is, it can feel repetitive at times which may cause players to lose interest, especially if they find the game to be difficult.

Curse of the Sea Rats is a 2D platformer adventure game in which you fight enemies and upgrade your abilities while searching for the evil pirate witch who turned your party into rats. Exploring new areas and defeating the witch’s crew is fun throughout the course of the game, and is definitely worth a play-through for those patient enough to deal with its difficulty.

My gaming acumen recognizes Rakuen: Deluxe Edition as a high-quality release that checks most of the right boxes. At the same time, this is a title I simply never want to play again and am anxious to forget. Its heavy-handed final act is unpleasantly predictable, making a game that felt fresh feel paradoxically clichéd. People grieve differently, and many will meld with this finished product. But I’m left saying it’s a good game that’s not for me: too bitter without enough sweetness to offset it.

Remnant: From The Ashes is a unique take on the Souls-like genre, blending 3rd-person shooting gameplay with the challenging combat of a Dark Souls game. It surprisingly works and offers something new to the endless Souls-like games that are out there. The issue with Remnant: From The Ashes is that if you don’t like Souls-like games, this isn’t the game to change your mind. Plus, the Switch port is rough to look at and harder to play due to technical issues. If you absolutely want a unique Souls-like experience and only own a Switch, Remnant: From The Ashes could be worth checking out.

Metal Slug 2 is a classic run-and-gun game with plenty of action. It’s a tough game, but that’s the point, and you’ll certainly have fun wading through hordes of soldiers and trying new weapons, especially with a buddy in co-op mode.

The action in Kung Fury: Street Rage – Ultimate Edition is as basic as can be for an ’80s-inspired arcade brawler, but it captures the tone of the source material (not to mention many of the characters) in a manner that’ll please fans of the original short film.

Kana Quest is a cute, friendly game that aims to teach you kana character recognition as you work through its numerous match-em puzzles. Some may be put off by the unfamiliar Japanese alphabet, but those who are willing to learn (or just want an additional challenge) should have fun picking up the basics of kana recognition and pronunciation.

Overall, the gameplay in DC’s Justice League: Cosmic Chaos got repetitive, and the lack of multiplayer in the story mode was a bummer. However, this title is a solid beat-’em-up with amazing voice acting and comical script writing.

Perseverance is a dark visual novel capturing three stories in one release. The typos and glitches are distracting, but the solid story and neat visuals will keep you entertained. A few more options would also go a long way.

Heirs of the Kings plays everything a little too safely. It moves from one retro JRPG trope to the next, but doesn’t provide the player with much incentive to do so beyond checking the boxes along the way.

The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow is a short but sweet point-and-click horror adventure that uses the setting, style and folklore of Victorian Britain to immerse you in a distinctly creepy plot.

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.

Ib is a surprising experience people should check out if they want a pixel-art title with an extremely creepy atmosphere. Ib makes you feel uncomfortable around every corner and builds tension whenever you go near any painting. The puzzles, the main “meat and potatoes” of Ib are also quite clever, even if a few of them lose the cleverness for a trial-and-error approach. That said, Ib is an extremely short game that feels like it was made for a specific audience. If you hear pixel-art, horror-like titles and are excited by the sound of Ib, you may enjoy Ib. If those words don’t immediately get you intrigued, then you might be best to look somewhere else for your next game.

The tactical RPG Redemption Reapers doesn’t have any serious issues, but it does suffer from the little death of a thousand paper cuts. With a few minor adjustments, this could be a really good game. As it stands, it’s just an OK game with a very good soundtrack.

Elderand offers what you expect from a metroidvania. It is an addition to the genre offering no more or less of a solid experience.

Papertris is solid for its budget price. While I would’ve liked more options (and a consistent challenge), it’s a game built off classics. Local and online leaderboards help, too.