Riddled Corpses EX seeks to emulate the twin-stick shooters from the 8 and 16-bit era. However, like any game worth mentioning, Riddled Corpses borrows, but stands out on its own merits. Sprite characters and backgrounds along with quality chiptunes make this arcade shooter a total time warp worth your time.

There are a few stumbles here and there, but Alphadia Genesis reflects many smart choices. The story is strong, the characters leave an impression, and the battling has depth. If you’re a genre fan looking for a slice of RPG nostalgia, this game has both quantity and quality.

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.

Battle Hunters is a great RPG that uses the urgency of its plot to create a focused gameplay loop that focuses on fairly strategic combat using a wide array of characters that were mostly throwaway pawns.

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.

Azurebreak Heroes is a well-balanced RPG roguelite with randomized dungeons and no two playthroughs alike. While the story is lackluster and it might get repetitive, you’ll still be able to put plenty of hours into this game.

Gordian Quest is an ambitious fantasy RPG that offers a vast campaign, exciting auto-generated maps, and turn-based combat that offers near endless hours of gameplay with its broad selection of battle decks.

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.

A shorter title, Bitlogic – A Cyberpunk Arcade Adventure will nonetheless likely appeal mainly to older gamers. It successfully mixes genres in a great setting with a good soundtrack. It effectively draws you in with unlimited ammunition, no time limit, and well-spaced checkpoints, to balance the atypical lack of jumping. Having two game styles – the MSX original is included – is also a cool plus. I think it hits its nostalgic target without overshooting into too-dated territory.

Prinny 1•2: Exploded and Reloaded is a lovely piece of gaming history that holds up decently well and is still a fun little platformer to this day.

You don’t have to be a puzzle aficionado to enjoy Glass Masquerade 2: Illusions. It helps, of course, as would an appreciation for quality artwork. What really matters here, though, is that the game is so well-crafted and presented that it serves as a captivating, ethereal way to spend time relaxing with your Switch.

I enjoyed Factotum 90 much more than the original Factotum. Complete with updated graphics and smoother controls, I would say the Nintendo Switch game is the definitive version. I definitely recommend checking it out if you’re into puzzle-solving games.

The Church in the Darkness takes the unsettling approach of realism. It’s convincing as a story of a 1970s cult, and Freedom Town is a chilling look inside an isolated cult in the middle of the jungles of South America.

Through and through, Moon is the anti-RPG. It’s a satirical stab at the RPG genre. While it could have been better with a more updated look, I still find this game innovative and fresh even by today’s standards. It’s cute and funny and fun to play. If you’re looking for a laid-back RPG, this is it. Moon is a title that reviews can’t do justice to; it has to be played to really appreciate what the developers were trying to do.

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.

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.

My Brother Ate My Pudding! is a short, silly puzzle game that pushes you to think outside the box with challenges that expertly balance surrealism and simplicity.

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.

Classic NES platforming fans, rejoice. Venture Kid succeeds where even Mega Man’s creator failed when trying to capture that classic Blue Bomber feel. Even with minor flaws, Venture Kid will scratch the itch for Mega Man, and if you’re lucky, scrub the memory of Might No. 9 from your brain.

No More Heroes is still a blast to play today. Living up to its cult status that it initially earned when it first released on the Wii, over ten years ago. Some of the gameplay feels dated, primarily due to the empty and dull open world sections, but the comical writing and boss battles alone make it worth your attention. Whether you’re a fan of the original or, like me, a newcomer to the franchise No More Heroes is a great addition to any Switch players library.

Saints Row IV: Re-Elected is a logical continuation for such a nonsensical series. Despite some issues with mission structure and some signs of age, this is still a very good superpowered thrill ride of presidential proportions.

Savage Halloween is a tough, yet fun platformer. The action is fast and furious, the graphics are neat, and the characters, weapons, and enemies provide plenty of variety to keep you interested.

Train Valley is a relaxing simulation game that still makes you think. While you won’t suck hours and hours into it in one sitting, it’ll always be fun to return to.

Dig Dog is a pleasing game. The gameplay is quick but fun and increasingly challenging. This is a mindless game to play when you’re looking for something relaxing or don’t want to commit to a heavy story.

Citizens Unite!: Earth x Space is a neat alternative to the original games. Including newly added side quests, characters, and a hidden ending. Citizens Unite gives players a fun new experience that lets them play two awesome games for the price of one.

I certainly don’t regret my time spent with Cuphead, but also I don’t know when I’ll pick up the game again. There’s too much rinse and repeat and rote memorization of bosses to be fun for me after a while. That being said, if you’re looking for a steep challenge, Cuphead will certainly satisfy. The game is definitely a huge accomplishment–I just wish it was more universally accessible and fun for everyone.

This “fantastic journey through the human body factory” made me smile. Homo Machina is a very concise experience (perhaps an hour or so) but one that’s priced appropriately on the Nintendo eShop at just $2.99. While the puzzles themselves are so-so, this eye-catching game is positively wrapped in charm, and I suggest you add it to your Switch digital library.

The game’s RPG mechanics, unique art style, and variety in towers, enemy types, and weapons, make for a satisfying tower-defence experience. OTTTD is a must-buy for fans of the genre.

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.

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.

SpiderHeck is a ton of fun. It’s fast and chaotic and is an excellent choice if you’ve nothing to play and want a both visually stunning and unique brawler for the Nintendo Switch. It’s a heck more fun when you’re up against a friend beside you, but the single player mode is more than enough to sharpen your skills and put up an enjoyable challenge.

Peasant Knight is a fun platformer runner with a tough edge. The simple design compliments its shorter levels, but don’t be fooled – this challenging title requires quick reflexes. If running, jumping, and dying repeatedly is your thing, definitely give this one a go.

One-Eyed Lee and the Dinner Party is a fantastic mystery game that eases you into its ominous yet colourful world and explores the essence of humanity through fantastical characters.

Overall, Red Faction: Guerrilla Re-Mars-tered, feels like a unique addition to the Nintendo Switch library, and one executed well. That said, if destruction isn’t your playstyle, this may not be the game for you. But if you are into any action or open-world games, I’d highly suggest taking a look at this port. Though, from what I’ve seen, this game doesn’t add anything new from its original release. So, it may not be worth the playthrough for someone familiar with the title already.

MacGuffin’s Curse is a solid entry into the maze/puzzle genre. It’s low-pressure, you can correct your mistakes quickly, and the writing has a cheesy comedic tone that’s very chill. And as an entry into the werewolf/jewel thief genre, it’s the frontrunner of the year.

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.

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.

Arise: A Simple Story should be recognised as a beautiful and touching story, no matter its short length. It’s a heartwarming and truly captivating journey – providing you allow yourself to be immersed in the narrative. With the stop/start nature of the loading screens and the long-winded gameplay, this can be hard but definitely worth pushing through.

Crackpet Show is a great game for anyone looking for a frantic, fast paced shoot-em up. It can get a little frustrating and repetitive, mostly when you’re stuck on a specific episode, but it’s original and great for short bursts of gameplay, especially on a portable system like the Switch.

Baron: Fur is Gonna Fly is a clever, comical, completely accessible combat game that’ll appeal to arcade action fans of any age level. Gameplay is tight, the characters are engaging, and the music is simply outstanding. The Royal Guardsmen would definitely be proud…even if Snoopy himself is called out here.

While the replay value falls short once you’ve beaten the game, Trine 2: Complete Story offers plenty of challenging content to keep you busy for a while.

Because of its dedicated focus on strategy, Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia is a refreshing change to today’s gimmicky turn-based JRPGs. Its serious story, unique gameplay elements, and challenging scenarios will appeal to those who recall a time when tactical games were more about strategy and less about selecting their waifu.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed may be an older game, but it’s still fun to play and Star Wars fans who haven’t previously enjoyed this title should give it a go. The engaging story and excellent voice work help bring it to life, despite the slightly dated graphics and relatively simple gameplay.

Hypercharge: Unboxed is a fun and unique addition to the small library of shooters already on the Nintendo Switch. Digital Cybercherries’ debut title on the platform offers fun and addictive wave-based shooter gameplay for all ages. With the game’s cute art style and smooth performance, it is hard to go wrong with picking up a content-filled game like this.

The appeal of BBG Entertainment’s Astrosmash remake is not in what it modernizes, but in what it retains from the original. Although it looks good and runs great on the Nintendo Switch, its best feature is how accurately it recreates the feeling of playing it on the Intellivision in the early ’80s.

Tardy is a rich combination of story and puzzles that blends past and future in a charming and surprisingly emotional game.

Players who have not experienced any of the titles, just one, or just want them all together in one place, should pick this up. Fans of puzzlers and platforming alike should certainly look into the Mighty Switch Force! Collection. Honestly, the price of $19.99 is an amazing value, considering the amount of content included.

Basically an officially licensed version of What the Dub?!, RiffTrax: The Game succeeds as a creative/comedy party game by adding the familiar voices of the RiffTrax crew. A few gameplay tweaks improve the dialogue riffing formula, but more movie clips and some variation in the game’s rounds would keep the fun running longer.

If you’re looking for an enjoyable alternative after playing Mario Kart 8 for the past five years, Team Sonic Racing smoothly drifts its way to a decisive silver trophy. Start your engines!

You’ll surely enjoy Pinball FX – Williams Pinball Volume 9, though some may want to wait for a sale that matches the FX3 volume pricing. In either case, those with “crazy flipper fingers” can expect a good time.

While a cheap shot somewhat spoils what otherwise would be an excellent game, Rush Rover is still is an amazing value and good title.

The Perfect Pencil mixes a really cool hand-drawn style with a dark, symbolic story about inner struggles. The gameplay follows a familiar Metroidvania formula, but creative enemy designs and the analysis mechanic keep it engaging. Frustrating save points hold it back a bit, but it’s still a solid and slightly unsettling experience.

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Tactics doesn’t do much to stand out from other turn-based tactics games, but it treats both the genre and the show—and therefore the fans of each—with the respect they deserve.

Even though The Red Strings Club is in a pixelated genre which is oversaturated, the story all but makes up for it. I would recommend this despite its controls for anyone on a budget looking for a great story-telling game, and for all sci-fi/cyberpunk fans.

Okinawa Rush is a fun albeit repetitive game whose nonstop fighting action shows why the SNES era was so great. Fantastic retro vibes in terms of music, too.

Saviors of Sapphire Wings / Stranger of Sword City Revisited carry aspects of their age with them, but this bundle of two somewhat obscure RPGs still provides a deep, detailed, dungeon-crawling experience that is well-suited to the Switch handheld.

Unruly Heroes is far from a bad game. In fact, it has some of my favorite platforming of recent memory, at least in terms of pure gameplay. It just lacks the polish needed for platformer completionists like me, and it’s uncompelling story and music did not help. At least the developers are supporting it with content, despite it being months after its launch. If you are looking for an affordable platformer, this game is a must, but don’t expect to be putting in the same hours as Yoshi’s Crafted World.

Pictooi is a fun picross game with a simple and well-presented style. It’s lacking a few features, but the puzzles are enjoyable and the daily brain training element is a nice feature for anyone who likes to flex that particular muscle.

Tomb Raider fans will appreciate the effort here in terms of faithfulness to the classic games, with both clear and subtle nods. Like Pinball FX as a whole, I’d hesitate to recommend this on the Nintendo Switch. But if you have a Switch 2, you’ll appreciate both of these pinball tables for different reasons.

Piczle Puzzle & Watch Collection has games that are merely okay overall if you aren’t a fan of this style already. But as a collection overall, this is a good release. It makes a positive impression, and its retro approach comes in at a fair price.

Touhou Spell Bubble is a clever and challenging game that combines bubble popping mechanics with rhythm elements and surprisingly intricate strategies. The price may be high, but it’ll pay off if you’re able to stick with it—especially if you can squeeze extra life out of local multiplayer instead of having to rely on the DLC purchases.

Overall, Redout is an amazing racing game and by far the best anti-gravity one on Nintendo Switch. It offers simplistic but meaningful customization, diverse environments, and RPG-like mechanics that provide replay ability, all without sacrificing performance for the most part. There was only one thing that was a big turn-off for me, and that was it’s online multiplayer.

The original Pinball Quest mostly succeeded despite itself. Now, players can see its clever ideas less saddled by curious ones. The game is less of a drain and endurance test. While there are better NES pinball games, fans of retro video pinball should find this a fun addition to their Switch library. Pinball Quest is marketed as the first of a series of Jaleco Famicom re-releases. I’m excited to see what follows. Hopefully, more thought is put into features, jettisoning some unimportant ones for those that better enhance the games.

While the number of games in this collection pales next to many other Switch compilations, shmup fans up for a challenge probably won’t want to sleep on this one. Irem Collection Volume 1 offers some entertaining fun that will put your skills to the test. How about some love for Irem’s In The Hunt next?

Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land takes the series in a direction that will appeal to fans of open world JRPGs, but may leave fans of previous Atelier games scratching their head. It also has numerous technical issues on the Switch. It’s still a fun adventure, it just leaves room to improve in its inevitable sequels.

It’s not just the history and nostalgia, but the high quality, sense of discovery, and genuine allure that’s undeniable with this pioneer. It’s proven to be a timeless journey. But this Switch port of realMyst: Masterpiece Edition needs an update, to add some missing features and fix the significant audio glitches, to be genuinely outstanding.

Castle Kong gives Donkey Kong a colorful visual refresh and an extreme challenge bump, but otherwise sticks closely to the formula that made it a legend. Fans of classic arcade games will enjoy it, and will be thankful they don’t have to drop another quarter with each frustrated restart.

A former Apple Arcade exclusive, Little Orpheus successfully brings its cinematic platformer action to Nintendo Switch. This throwback to pulp movie serials works well on the TV screen, and the gameplay is better suited to Joy-Con controls than a touchscreen. The sense of wonder does slowly wear off, but it’s a quick, casual adventure worth completing.

Air Conflicts: Secret Wars maintains the pretty visuals and action-packed battles of the rest of the series, with a story that offers it more substances than its sisters.

SpellKeeper is an addictive puzzle game that finds the right balance between teasing the brain and comforting it. It presents a unique premise and enough content to keep puzzle fans busy for quite a few hours.

With its simple-to-grasp, challenging-to-master gameplay, Perchang held our attention through to the last of its 50 levels. It has a satisfying length, offering a fair amount of content without overstaying its welcome. Finishing a level with just a Bronze medal (or worse, a Pass) also prompts some replay. Perchang manages to stand out amongst the puzzle crowd on Nintendo Switch and I hope it’s a sign of more Goldbergian puzzlers to come.

Pudding Monsters is a fun puzzle game with exciting colors and sound effects. There’s not much gameplay variation from the first level through the last. But still, this is one of the more creatively designed versions of these types of games.

Call of Juarez: Gunslinger is as solid a shooter as the Nintendo Switch has gotten in some time. Even though its age comes through in its graphics and linear level design, this title offers an interesting western for you to play through with some seriously satisfying gunplay.

As a fan of the Ridge Racer series, I’m happy to add Rave Racer to my collection. It’s a challenging game that should keep me returning as I aim to shave seconds off my best time. I recommend it to fellow fans, while those less invested in the series should probably wishlist it for a future sale.

I couldn’t help but think back to Minesweeper when playing Growth. There’s much more to this relaxing, nature-based, hexagonal puzzle game, but its reliance on a mixture of clever strategy and random luck will appeal to (or repel) the same crowd.

SEN is for people who need a short puzzle game to pass some time. It’s a simple game that won’t stay with you, but It’s good for when you’ve had a hard day and just want to relax or channel your focus.

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.

Induction is a simple yet clever puzzle title with a unique concept. Don’t let the relaxing music and pastel tones fool you; this is one tough game! Replayability is minimal, but there are some real brain teasers in here for those ready to accept the challenge.

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.

While newer players could be frustrated by camera limits, some gameplay quirks, and overall lack of personality, simulation fans can see minutes turn to hours when playing Pure Pool. It’s a highly entertaining game that I’ve sunk more time into than expected.

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour probably should have been a pack-in release; not because it’s not worth the money, but because it’s turned into a PR nightmare. It also feels like the perfect game to include with a new system. At the end of the day, it wasn’t included; but it IS fun and interesting. So, if you like the sound of it, give it a go! If not, leave it alone. Someone at Nintendo worked hard to put this together, and I, for one, am glad I was able to experience it.

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?

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.

Shovel Knight: King of Cards is a master-class in platforming, design, pixel art, and much, much more. Offering a good amount of new content, as well as the all-new card mini-game, Joustus, you have an overall package that is hard not to recommend, even if good portions of this feel wholly the same as the original Shovel Knight and its successive releases.

Everdeep Aurora, a pixel art platformer from Ysbryd Games, has its faults. It also has enough charm and personality to overcome them. Striking visuals, fun gameplay, and an absolutely adorable cat make this a game that arcade adventure fans should definitely check out.

Spacejacked turns the tower defense genre upside down and also manages to toss quite a bit of challenge into the mix. If you’re looking to get your butt kicked a few times, Spacejacked is for you.

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.

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.

In the beginning, I felt that Concept Destruction was kind of bland, but after unlocking several vehicles and testing them out, I started to realize that each vehicle changes the strategy of play. It is more than a drive-fast-and-smash-your-car-into-another-vehicle style of game. It is certainly worth the asking price of $4.99.

NBA 2K22 is another good entry in the fantastic NBA 2K series. Its reworked shooting mechanics, impressive visuals on Switch, and loads of NBA content will keep any basketball fan’s attention for hours on end. While many modes received no noticeable additions, and there’s a heavy desire for spending money on microtransactions, NBA 2K22 is still a must-play for Switch basketball fans.

Skyhill is a challenging and fun point-and-click adventure game with the seemingly simple premise of escaping a skyscraper during an apocalypse. A hunger meter adds an extra level of strategy as you rummage hotel rooms and sleigh grotesque mutants. It’s an atmospheric and addictive experience that’s worth checking out.

Dex lacks in some areas, but I think the overall experience was pretty enjoyable. Being able to make your own choices and have different outcomes adds a lot of replay value. (Not a game for kids)

As a grid-based, first-person, action/adventure RPG, Vaporum: Lockdown offers plenty of gameplay elements to keep you busy. The dungeon-crawling game play is straightforward and not overly complicated, despite a good number of puzzles sprinkled in. In short, this is a solid prequel to the original Vaporum. Have fun exploring.

Castle Morihisa is a deck-building strategy game with plenty of pros and only a few cons. The cons do not weigh so heavily that the game isn’t fun. It isn’t the best at everything it tries to do (most which you’ve seen before), but it is an enjoyable game.

Faircroft’s Antiques: The Heir of Glen Kinnoch Collector’s Edition delivers a 10-plus hour hidden object adventure that’s just as fun as the initial game in the series: Treasure of Treffenburg. More variety with minigames and puzzles is welcomed, as is better incorporation of hidden items to the plot. Only a handful of bugs knock the game down, but not enough to stop me from recommending it to genre fans.

1f y0u’re a gh0st ca11 me here! is one of the more unique games I’ve played on the Nintendo Switch. It does get repetitive after a while, but the striking visuals, compelling story, and frantic “call center” gameplay will be enough to get most new gr1ms through the workday.

Little Mouse’s Encyclopedia is the type of title I would’ve loved exploring as a kid in school. As a grown man, I still appreciate the concept and how it was brought to screen in an aesthetically pleasing way. It succeeds with its aim in charming fashion. While gameplay and narration are missed, this is a very good release for what it is. If you’re a family, this would definitely be one to grab on sale if you’re looking to relax and learn at the same time.