While there are many questionable choices present, DariusBurst: Another Chronicle EX+ remains an enjoyable shmup.

The gameplay is faultless in what it does, but Gynoug doesn’t do anything to stand out. If you are nostalgic towards the game or those alike, you’ll get much more out of this than someone brand new to Gynoug. Unfortunately, I was the latter.

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.

What Big Bang Pro Wrestling does well, it does very well. The detail in each character and animation is impressive, especially for a game that was initially released on a handheld system over twenty years ago. More options for wrestlers would have been an excellent addition. In addition, the button timing mechanic is frustrating.

Daemon X Machina offers the Nintendo Switch a chance to delve deeper into mecha games, but misses the mark in challenging missions and captivating story. Still, it’s animation style and customization options make for a bright, colorful game.

Rune Factory 5 is a good game for series fans, but we’d recommend the last entry over it. We found that game was easier to control and preferred the top-down view. But, of course, you can still pass all manner of fun time with this sometimes slow (often choppy) installment.

Aces of the Sky immediately hits you with frenzied, stylized, WWI-era aerial combat, then does little to change the formula throughout its two stories. Whether you can deal with the repetitiveness depends upon how much of an arcade gamer you (and hopefully a nearby squad mate) really are.

Overall, Ninjala is an enjoyable game but doesn’t have a lot of meat on its bones. It’s fun to play from time to time, but not something that gives you much variety or content. At least not yet, this game is still young, and I look forward to seeing Ninjala grow.

Fans of turn-based combat games will enjoy aspects of Broken Lines, but not without a certain degree of aggravation. It has promise, but the story and gameplay could’ve used a little more refinement.

Papa’s Quiz is not the most dynamic trivia game available for the Nintendo Switch, but it may be the best at making sure family members of all ages are on an even playing field. It’s perfect for a couple rounds when family movie night’s done but you’re not yet ready for bed.

Mothmen 1966 manages to blend a creepy yet oh-so-fun tale into the visual novel formula, with a sprinkle of choose-your-own-adventure and puzzles to create a retro story that I had a really, really fun time with. Despite the clunky controls in the puzzle sections, Mothman 1966 has more than enough to entertain you in its bitesize narrative – I only wish there was more! Thankfully, LGB Game Studios has announced Varney Lake coming later this year. Sign me up!

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.

Space Adventure Cobra – Awakening combines the style of its early ’80s anime source material with the complexity of modern action-platformers to create a game full of…well, style and complexity. It’s not without its hardships, but those up for the challenge will be entertained.

Bubble Bobble 4 Friends is an unfortunate step backward. It’s a fun, but very vanilla entry in the long-running series. The launch content doesn’t match the launch price, nor does it compare favorably with other arcade games available on the Switch eShop.

Kukoos: Lost Pets is a 3D platformer in which you enter different universes to save pets that have gone rogue. In these universes, you have to tackle obstacles and puzzles to collect enough “fwendly” plants and coins, and to save enough pets. This game is made for anyone, and is exciting and fun.

Touken Ranbu Warriors is a purposeful regression of the Warriors franchise, focusing on the characters and story instead of the Musou-style combat. It works as a lark, especially for fans of the Touken Ranbu franchise. But at the asking price, there are much better options available (and forthcoming) for those who enjoy the 1 vs. 1,000 gameplay mechanics and strategies.

Project Nimbus: Complete Edition is a fast-paced, action-packed shooter with smooth controls, vivid graphics, and three different modes to keep you busy for a while. At the price of $20, it’s worth a try.

Exit the Gungeon is a refreshing next step for the franchise. The smaller scale comes with certain drawbacks, but it’s nonetheless a worthwhile experience, even if it’s not to the same standard as the original.

LEGO Bricktales takes the simple building blocks we know and love and wraps them within a cute puzzle environment. The satisfying builds and relaxing setting result in a journey into every kid’s dream: living in a world made of LEGO.

After sinking several hours, I can say that Mini Motor Racing X is pretty fun. From seemingly small options to many extras, it offers a lot. While I wonder if it’ll prove a memorable racer when compared to many, I suspect it’s a game I’ll keep downloaded to revisit for short spells now and again.

Hoa is a spirited adventure with a relaxing atmosphere. While I wish it were longer for its launch price (with optional challenges), I’m confident I’ll replay it. The desirable aesthetics combined with goal-driven gameplay are too enjoyable a combination. Did this puzzle platformer go unnoticed by you this summer? It’s never too late to give it the attention it deserves.

Awesome 16-bit graphics and nostalgia will distract you from the sluggish gameplay. Players unfamiliar with retro brawlers should probably skip out on this one. But if you’re a fan of the River City series and want to take a trip back in time, this is a good place to start.

Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered offers a trip back to when JRPGs didn’t just offer multiple playthroughs, they counted on them. This game expects you to miss numerous events and items, and to want to try again. Because of its complexity and general aimlessness, however, I’m not sure many will want to.

Although Bow to Blood: Last Captain Standing wasn’t for me, this certainly doesn’t mean it was a bad game. With a little more to offer with the characters, and some tweaking with the airships, this game could offer someone a unique battle arena experience.

I think this game offers quite a bit of nostalgia. And even with all of its faults, I found ways to cheese the system or use the Force in fun ways to get through the missions. However, as fun as it was, I don’t know that it’s an accessible title for gamers who aren’t fully versed on how games in 2003 played or are expecting a current-gen SW gaming experience.

While adjusting to the controls takes longer than it should, it’s mostly worth it. Edna & Harvey: The Breakout – Anniversary Edition shines with more to like than loathe. Particularly the overabundance of dialogue, which is accomplished and comical. I’m glad I stuck with this game. As a genre enthusiast, I found it to be entertaining.

A multiplayer game with no online is a tough sell in the era of the Coronavirus. But Unspottable is enjoyable enough that I give it a mild recommendation, so long as you have people in your house to play with. This release would benefit from a solo mode and more options, but it’s decent as the first title from a small indie studio.

Although it tries to shake up the shooter forumal, Redout: Space Assault doesn’t fully succeed, with a lack of clear instructions and a control scheme that’s not intuitive. Although there’s plenty of action, it’s not as satisfying as it should be to shoot your way through space.

Doomsday Vault is a cute puzzle game, with beautiful settings and challenging missions that delivers a powerful environmental message.

Fort Triumph is a good strategy game with more than one way to play with fun characters and unique maps.

PAW Patrol World provides a 3D adventure meant for preschool kids who enjoy the franchise or just want a simple game to play. Though it can be repetitive and won’t pose a challenge to even younger gamers, its open world mechanics and side missions—not to mention all the collectables—still leave room for plenty of enjoyment.

Firefighting Simulator – The Squad is a fun sim game with satisfying sound effects and simple gameplay. However, the levels get repetitive.

The Jackbox Party Pack 10 lacks the broad appeal of other party games, with too many of its games dependent on specific types of players. While it will probably find an audience during holiday vacations, kids on winter break, and so forth, fans who didn’t grab this release at launch might consider waiting for the right sale. Meanwhile, new players should check out one of the earlier entries.

Overall, The Prisoning: Fletcher’s Quest is a fun experience that’s light on the metroidvania aspects. It’s well designed and executed, if a little short. This makes it an easy way to pass a few hours, and it scratches that exploration itch. It might be a little crude at times, but The Prisoning: Fletcher’s Quest was a game I think I’ll remember in a sea of similar titles.

Lydia is a small game, but it sends a bigger message that sometimes we need to step in and help the ones who can’t speak for themselves. I highly recommend checking out this enthralling, interactive story about a little girl overcoming her giant “monster”.

As a single player game, the arcade racer Crash Drive 3 can feel a bit empty. But it’ll very likely be a real hoot for the kids who just want to explore and goof around. As a multiplayer game, it can be a free-for-all blast.

Mega Man Battle & Fighters feels right at home besides its console, mainline counterparts. The controls are super tight, the visuals are extremely pretty, and the boss battles are equally challenging but rewarding. Mega Man fans will feel right at home with this set of fighting games. That said, the localization is completely non-existent, making it pretty much impossible to understand anything in the game (including menu navigation). Deal breaking? No, but keep Google Translate open at all times. For people who aren’t fans of the Mega Man formula, Mega Man Battle & Fighters doesn’t do anything different that might pull you in. It’s a Mega Man-style game through and through, so if that isn’t your thing, you might want to look elsewhere.

Samurai Maiden gives players a goofy mix of hack-and-slash action, light platforming, and yuri fan service. Surprisingly, it also gives us some pretty fun combat when it’s not being overly frustrating. The game will appeal more to achievement completionists than those seeking a good (or even coherent) story, so consider that when looking at this game at full price.

Immortal Realms: Vampire Wars will keep strategy gamers busy for a while, so you get decent value for money. I think the experience would be much more enjoyable with some well-aimed tutorial, movement, and UI refinements. Hopefully, we will get some improvements with the next installment, as I’m looking forward to seeing where this story can go.

To sum this up, Treachery in Beatdown City is a lot of fun, but I can’t suggest it due to the stability problems. Now I’m not saying to never get the game. What I am saying is I’d wait a while so the devs can hash out the issues.

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.

The Company Man is a competent platformer with beautifully hand-drawn artwork. The character designs are impressive. The boss battles are genuine, and each boss is unique in its design. However, the game suffers from some design flaws, mainly around the inability to aim projectiles and duck. This will require you to rethink how you may handle some of the more challenging bosses. In addition, the story isn’t intriguing, and it’s disappointing that the story didn’t match the beauty of the game’s art.

If you’re the type who likes to relax with the calming sites and sounds of an ocean life documentary, Beyond Blue will allow you to get more interactive with it. The educational and narrative moments don’t fully gel with the undersea exploration, and the visuals get murky on the Switch, but that won’t matter when you’re exploring these deep, safe waters.

Although I still get a kick out of seeing these Neo Geo Pocket Color games on the Nintendo Switch, some fare better than others. THE LAST BLADE: Beyond the Destiny is my last choice. The combat’s a little too sluggish, the presentation a little too uneven, and the overall package a little too dated. I’d check out one of the prior NGPC releases instead.

Super Bomberman R 2 is a fun return to the world of bomb-toting multiplayer madness. It’s easy to recommend for the Battle Mode alone, but there’s also a solid Story Mode to keep you entertained, despite some design flaws.

Playing Fledgling Heroes, it’s hard to shake the feeling that I haven’t somehow time-traveled to the past. It feels like the sort of game I might’ve enjoyed reviewing seven years ago as a mobile port to the 3DS or Wii U eShop. Except it’s 2020, and this is an original game on the Switch. Runners have come a long way, and players expect more from the genre’s console counterparts.

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.

It’s fun, but I’m not sure how much I’ll come back to it. The repetition can’t be avoided when playing for any real length, both in gameplay and level design. Lapis x Labyrinth has too many concerns that prevent me from giving it a broad recommendation at $29.99. But I can’t deny that it offers some short-term, if shallow, fun, so bookmark this one for a future sale if it sounds interesting to you.

Terror Squid is an addictive and fun take on the shooter genre, in which you create your own bullet hell by shooting bullets at yourself. The longevity is the only issue; a few more modes wouldn’t go astray.

Gravity Duck offers an entertaining enough, if repetitively simple, time. But it ends far too quickly. Taking into account what other low-priced Switch titles offer, including those from the same developer, this game is a sizable distance from great. Gravity Duck does nothing to stand apart amidst its crowded genre. Having zero replay incentive is a crucial blunder! It might have been better staying a free flash game or a cheap mobile offering. This Duck needed more time in the oven to reach its potential.

Speaking Simulator does a great job at providing comedic dialogue and a diverse selection of situations that need conversing, but overall the game falls short. The upgrade system was a welcomed addition but didn’t change my perception after finishing the game. If you are willing to accept the fact that you will likely only get a few hours of enjoyment out of this title, then this is something to consider for those looking for comedic fun.

Super Mega Space Blaster Special Turbo may have an absurd title that’s hard to remember, but it’s a super-fun and addictive shooter, with plenty of modes and challenges. The high difficulty will please shmup fans, pushing you to play just one more time…

Slayin 2 has some UI issues, and its gameplay doesn’t stand out for me. However, if you’re looking for a game to just play while passing time, you could certainly play worse.

If you haven’t played A Short Hike yet, you might get into Haven Park for a little bit. But it’s a game that seriously needs more original ideas and better implementation of ideas in general.

SYNTHETIK: Ultimate provides a good old-fashioned shoot-’em-all with plenty of tactical difficulty. There are enough levels, avatar classes, and weapons to keep a gamer busy for a fair number of hours. The game could stand some controls and training improvement, but it is a worthy action/arcade entry.

With scores of tracks, bikes, and modifications to be had—along with a multiplayer mode to share with your friends—Monster Energy Supercross – The Official Videogame 3 will keep a gamer happy for a good, long time.

While there are issues, both in the game itself and the porting, Sonic Colors Ultimate is a fun enough time.

EA Sports FC 24 is ambitiously big. It features an astounding number of real-life players and teams, and no shortage of content. It’s about as authentic as you can get on the Switch. Despite a few graphical blips and an overwhelming menu system, this is an easy title to recommend to fans.

I rather like the mid-’90s 3DO/Saturn look, and there are a few pleasant music tracks, as well. But when I put the nostalgic presentation and low price aside, I’m left with the realization that Toree 3D is a short-lived game I just didn’t find particularly fun. The level design is hit-or-miss, and the camera needs more attention. I’d direct players on a budget to Macbat 64: Journey of a Nice Chap instead.

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.

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.

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.

For a game that started on mobile, Rest in Pieces is a fine example of game fitted properly for the Nintendo Switch. The super simple horror-based game uses believable physics and addicting runs to create an easy game for anyone in the family to enjoy.

Sci-fi and/or puzzle fans who are looking for an exotic, perplexing adventure that can terrify while challenging, will find a memorable experience with Soul Axiom Rebooted. Look for this atmospheric game to leave an impression with Switch players who check it out.

In the end, Sonic Superstars is a fun, modern take on the classic 2D Sonic formula. Its solid moment to moment gameplay, fun new visual style, and great soundtrack make for a very fun experience. The game falters a bit in the new addition of Emerald Powers, which aren’t fun to collect and aren’t useful when collected. The major difficulty spikes in mid-stage bosses and end bosses make for a frustrating combat experience rather than a rewarding one. Still, Sonic Superstars manages to pull together an experience old and new Sonic fans—or 2D platforming fans in general—will get plenty of enjoyment out of.

Overall, Type:Rider is like playing through a work of art with good music, excellent visuals, and an interesting and unique concept, but not without some flaws. It’s still a good deal at $2.99 and might be worth a look.

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

Kirby’s Dream Buffet does enough things right to be a great experience both solo or against friends and family. The super colorful and attractive dessert stages are a blast to play on and the main gameplay concept is easy to grasp but hard to master. There’s plenty of rewards to unlock , so don’t worry about running out of things to try to get. While not the easiest Kirby game you can play and a few mini-games completely missing the mark, Kirby’s Dream Buffet is an absolute delight. For $15, there’s no reason to miss out.

Avenging Spirit is a lesser-known ’90s arcade game with a unique “possession” angle that helps distinguish it from the excess of retro platformers available on the Switch. It’s worth a playthrough, especially if you’re unfamiliar with its charms.

Whatever the season, Xtreme Sports can offer a bit of fun in the virtual sun. But, you’ll likely play for just a few minutes here and there, spread out over time. The small number of events leads to a repetition, making it struggle to maintain interest. The extras in this Switch port barely register, too.

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.

While EQQO has a few shortcomings that are quite apparent, it’s multi-layered, touching story and easy-to-understand puzzle mechanics make this journey worth a look.

Psikyo Shooting Stars Bravo certainly gave me more time spent with the arcade shooter genre. I can say with absolute certainty that I have a greater appreciation for the genre than when I went into this review. I recommend it to those who have a great appreciation for arcade shooters. I also recommend it for those who are curious or would like to have a solid collection to round out their Switch library.

Wonder Boy Collection is stacked with four classic titles that are all worth your time to a degree. Fans of the franchise will likely be disappointed by the omission of other titles that hold much more value in terms of critic appeal. The two standout games for me, Wonder Boy and Monster World IV, have both been remade on the Nintendo Switch as their own standalone video games with updated graphics and some quality-of-life features. After playing through this collection, I’m now tempted to revisit these via their remastered counterparts. Wonder Boy Collection feels more like a collector’s item rather than an item you’ll purchase because you genuinely want to play these classics.

Giga Wrecker Alt is a pretty cool game. It has some issues and likely won’t compel all players to keep going, but the puzzles are good, and getting to throw a ton of junk to smash a robot is always fun. The game looks good, sounds good, and offers plenty of play time, so get in there and wreck it.

If you’re looking for some exercise, Fitness Boxing 2: Rhythm & Exercise is a good option on the Nintendo Switch. With the Just Dance series stagnating, and Ring Fit Adventure expensive, this is a solid alternative. Even if you aren’t a fan of boxing (I’m not), you’ll be able to enjoy this sequel.

Windscape is a melding of old action/adventure gaming with new mechanics and storytelling in mind, allowing the player to explore the nearly open-world around them at their own pace.

While it may not be critically riveting, Potato: Fairy Flower is a game that is simply meant to be played and enjoyed. There is some storytelling, some sense of adventure, some pattern learning and an adversary to overcome. There are also some areas where it could use some polishing, but taken for what it is, this is a fun game.

Sometimes it’s hard to tell how much weight a game will carry once your done reviewing it and have moved on to new titles. In Astro Bears’ case, the passage of time has proven my initial assessment wrong to some extent. The game has endured with me and my friends as a multiplayer attraction, and this new iteration is even better. It’s dropped part of its original handle, but Astro Bears is more a party now than it’s ever been.

Stonefly delights the eyes and ears. But the gameplay mix, despite offering some depth, can’t do the same. The combat simply isn’t much fun, and exploring runs the risks of glitches. This strange premise just isn’t executed that well. I’d stick with Creature in the Well until Stonefly gets a discount and patch.

Forklift Extreme is a short and sweet simulation puzzler. It’ll keep you entertained for a while but won’t give you much reason to return to it later.

SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated is as joyful as its source material. It’ll appeal to fans of the cartoon more so than those seeking a challenging 3D platforming adventure, but it’s a fun, nostalgic romp either way. Just don’t expect much from the new multiplayer component.

Super Street: Racer is a fun driving simulation game with plenty of customization options so you can build your perfect car. The races are fast and fluid and, with a few more features and tracks, this could be an even better racing title.

Although it’s based on a long-running British TV show, no previous knowledge is required to enjoy solving the tricky time-manipulation puzzles of Peaky Blinders: Mastermind. In a world where tie-in games are generally awful, this is a rare entry that works for show fans and non-fans alike.

I try to give each game a fair shake regardless of whether it’s new or a port, reboots, etc. So, all by itself, Destroy All Humans for the Nintendo Switch is a romp. It isn’t quite as long as I hoped, but playing a jet pack wearing, Elvis impersonator looking, little green (gray, actually) man from outer space with a Zap-O-Matic and a flying saucer capable of blowing up tanks is a barrel of fun.

Rougebook offers enough unique takes on gameplay to create a compelling experience for those highly interested in deck building games and a fun experience for those who aren’t quite as familiar with the genre. The dual hero system and presentation truly makes Rougebook stand out. However, the usual issues with the deck building game remain. It’s the random luck of the draw as to whether you’re given good enough cards to succeed in battle. Otherwise, you have to grind your way around to find useful cards or upgrades to help you. It might not be a game for everyone, but Roguebook is definitely worth checking out.

River City Saga: Three Kingdoms is a fun yet flawed beat ‘em up. The neat historical aspect and familair faces should appeal to fans, though it’s marred by performance issues and a convoluted map system.

Atari Mania’s mash-up of microgames presents a chaotic blast of nostalgia, but the general repetition and some frustrating difficulty dampen the mood pretty quickly. Its unique approach to retro gaming is, therefore, best enjoyed by those with fond memories of playing all these games back in the day.

Despite suffering from some issues on the user-experience end, Clue: The Classic Mystery Game is a lovable take on the classic board game, and one of the best renditions of the murder mystery to date. With new DLC, there’s never been a better time to check it out on Nintendo Switch!

Overall, Golem Gates, is a unique take on the card-playing genre and welcome addition to the Switch library. Nonetheless, it has some minor flaws, even if it remains functionally intact. Either Way, Golem Gates is a must try for anyone looking for a strategy game on Switch and/or a fun multiplayer option! I can definitely see this game being something I come back to during airport gameplay sessions, or even just when I have a bunch of time to kill.

Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance II will provide a mana-blast of nostalgic glee for those who played the original Dark Alliance hack-and-slash RPG on their GameCube, but it doesn’t offer enough excitement or variety to otherwise hold your attention.

Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots clearly needed more practice before teeing off on the Nintendo Switch. Thankfully, some necessary updates have significantly improved the game; however, one could argue that even more improvements are desired. I’m glad I held off on this review, because now (as a fan of video golf), I can appreciate it as a pretty good and content-rich title. Those less forgiving of its restrictive unlockable structure might bump it down a point, and wait to grab the game on sale.

Super Meat Boy Forever will frustrate you; there’s no doubt about it. But that’s part of its draw. Just as games like Cuphead have an audience, the Super Meat Boy franchise has a slightly less masochistic one.

Monster Energy Supercross – The Official Videogame 2 doesn’t even have local multiplayer unless you have two systems and two copies of the game, which is one of the most ridiculous things I’ve seen of late! The polish, quality, and most of all fun, simply isn’t here.

Crystar combines a stunning supernatural setting with simple hack-and-slash fighting to draw you through a complex and profound plot that bounces between realms.

Surprisingly, the online play works well, and it is cool to have a portable version of ARK for playing on the go. But would I recommend it on Nintendo Switch? $49.99 is…pricey for the quality. It’s worth it if you have no other way to play ARK, but only if it goes on sale. ARK: Ultimate Survivor Edition itself is a very good, if not great, game, but this port is more mediocre than the best it can be. While I like playing it on Switch as an existing fan, I’m not sure I would if I was new to the game.

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.

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.