Yomawari: Lost In the Dark uses every resource it has to create an unsettling and involving horror puzzle experience. It provides plenty of scares and a surprisingly effective story that should be enough to compel players forward even after the game starts to lose its impact.

Save Tetris and Puyo Pop for when you want to wind down before bedtime. Crystal Crisis is as intense as puzzle gaming gets and has sparked new life into a genre not known for surprises. From the heart-pumping puzzle action to the full-fledged story mode and a roster that screams “fan service,” it would be a crime to call Crystal Crisis anything less than an absolute diamond.

When the Past was Around is a well-made point-and-click adventure. The music and visuals contribute to the captivating, if abstract, tale. The puzzles are just right in terms of difficulty, although the game could be a little longer overall, making it a very good distraction for an afternoon.

In the end, G-Darius HD is a challenging shooter from a time when arcades were still relevant. It still looks good and sounds cool, but it’s not great as a standalone.

Trombone Champ is a goofy, chaotic music sim that never for a moment takes itself seriously. Everything from the gameplay to the song selection to the loading screens is meant to amuse, making it a perfect fit for the Switch. The fun can wear off quickly when playing solo, but it’s consistently entertaining for a full band (up to a quartet, anyway).

New Pokémon Snap is a delightful revision of an N64 icon. The new region is beautiful and invites you to engage with Pokémon you know and love in different ways, with a unique type of challenge.

Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection Vol. 1 will be a letdown for those who’ve already purchased some (or all) of the fighters released prior. But if you’ve been wondering why SNK hasn’t bundled these handheld games together, wonder no more. While very much a mixed bag, there’s enough here for the curious, and more so for fans. Bring on Vol. 2.

Despite its nearly 20-year-old origins, Hitman: Blood Money – Reprisal makes for a fun, violent time on the Nintendo Switch. The aging graphics and cumbersome controls aren’t enough to hamper its core stealth action gameplay no matter what playthrough you’re on.

Blazing Chrome’s gameplay borrows a lot from many arcade classics, no question. But a shorter experience that’d be worth a few quarters in a coin-op might not be worth $16.99, especially with the highly repetitive nature (and communication error popups). For better or worse, this title has the overall feel of a relic. As an older gamer who grew up with arcades, it should hold high appeal to me. Yet I can’t help but find myself thinking more about the games it’s trying to emulate, at least when playing solo.

Gunlord X, although at times seeming difficult, is still a fun run ‘n’ gun game. The variety of weapons and stages is a warm welcome, making it worth the asking price of $9.99.

Lucah: Born of a Dream takes a unique animation style and tells a deeper story. However, if you suffer from any type of photo-sensitivity, this game should be avoided.

I had way more fun with Hidden Through Time than expected. Of course, if you’re not a fan of the hide and seek premise, this game might not change your mind. But this is a bargain when you consider it’s just $7.99 for everything it includes. If the map editor can be enhanced, this very good game would become a great one.

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.

Buddy Simulator 1984 surprised me with the way it morphed from a text-based adventure into a creepy-yet-sweet story. If you’re looking for something completely different, this is one title you should consider checking out.

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.

This isn’t the least pricey shmup option out there. But for the asking price, R Type Delta: HD Boosted delivers value for money. The game looks good, sounds good, and has replayability. If you like a shmup, go get this one.

Fight’N Rage reminds you of a classic ‘90s arcade game, though the controls don’t hold up. Otherwise, with nostalgic graphics and music, it’d be a great game.

Meg’s Monster tells the story of a big, mean monster who stumbles across the responsibility of caring for a little girl; if she cries, she brings on the end of the world. Playing as the monster, Roy, it is your job to help Meg find her way back home from the underworld by protecting her from other monsters, and playing with her to keep her happy. This unlikely pair forms a sweet relationship in this cute and heartwarming story that is definitely worth a play.

Cult of the Lamb is a unique game in a world full of roguelikes, mashed together with a management sim that is oh-so-much fun. The cutesy graphics help tone it down, but don’t be mistaken – this is a dark game at times; it’s also a must-play title if you’re looking for something a little different.

Who knows how much longer this version of Hyrule (that started in Breath of the Wild) will continue? If this is the end, it goes out on a high note, especially when enjoyed cooperatively. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is an entertaining entry that will keep you busy during the first holiday season of the Switch 2. Heck, packed with content and surprises, it’s one you’ll likely return to when the mood strikes as well.

While the linear design coupled with high difficulty is worth noting, the challenge leads to very satisfying gameplay. Mindball Play is a good-sized game, with polished aesthetics, and high replay value. This marble racer deserves a look.

Warlock’s Tower is a fun puzzle game that’s challenging, but not hard enough to rage quit. As a whole, the game is charming and it’s fun alone, with a friend, or on the go.

River City Girls is a vibrant, colorful, and surprisingly fresh take on the classic beat ’em up series. While small annoyances may hinder its pacing, the overall package from WayForward still packs a few good kicks and punches.

Rabi-Ribi is fun in a lot of ways, it just focuses on being too “cute” and it disconnects the player from any actual storyline. Unless you’re a fan of anime and bunny rabbits I’d probably wait for this one to go on sale.

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.

F.I.S.T: Forged in Shadow Torch is a great Metroidvania, that does everything it needs to very well without re-inventing the formula.

Lucy Dreaming is a point-and-click adventure game in which you play as a young girl whose determination to end her nightmares sends her on an investigation of a decade-old murder. With its quirky sense of humor and pixel art style, Lucy Dreaming tells a very fun and interesting story that is bound to keep you playing for hours.

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!