Chained is a unique puzzle game that’s simple and will keep you busy and entertained for a couple of hours.

Vinebound: Tangled Together is an excellent co-op game with cute aesthetics, high replayability, and the right amount of challenge.

Astalon: Tears of the Earth may be yet another in a long line of retro 2D action/platformers available for the Nintendo Switch, but it deserves to be moved towards the front of that line. Fans of the genre will find plenty to like here, so long as they’re willing to accept backtracking as a core gameplay element.

As an arcade rail shooter, Rogue Flight hits all of its marks. It doesn’t aim for anything outside of the norm, but that allows it to focus entirely on its frenetic gameplay and anime setup/presentation. Players of all skill levels will be able to hop in and enjoy.

Dreaming Sarah’s surreal world is fun to explore, all wrapped in great pixel art and an excellent soundtrack. There’s plenty of variety and puzzles to solve. Despite its short length, it’s worth checking out if you’re after something different yet memorable in the genre.

All of this comes together for a mostly engaging strategic experience that is just long enough to not wear out its welcome. You’re not going to sink hundreds of hours into it like you did with Breath of Wild and Xenoblade Chronicles 2, but that’s a good thing in this case. Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac age chugs along at a decent speed (albeit sometimes slowed by long, repetitive environments and the micromanagement of the gambit system), with story elements dropped in just often enough to keep you intrigued.

Heaven’s Vault is a relaxing game with an interesting, immersive storyline and a beautiful world to explore. While it lacks some “side activities,” it has plenty to offer with its unique puzzle system and tons of replay value.

Endling: Extinction is Forever is a good game for survival fans and another reminder that humans suck. The story evokes a lot of emotion and tough choices. Overall this is a bitter-sweet game. The story is bitter, and the gameplay is sweet.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a natural fit for the Nintendo Switch 2 in both presentation and gameplay. It could (and should) have done a bit more to introduce newcomers to the elements of this world, but it offers a charming, occasionally dark adventure that will fully engage players once they settle in.

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.

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

ORD. is a special game that lets you choose your own adventure via three words at a time. The stories are uniquely presented, making it creative to witness and enjoyable to play. It might not warrant a second playthrough once you’ve been through all the scenarios, but it’s a fun journey nonetheless.

Asdivine Kamura is a strong RPG. The controls are smooth and the graphics are well done. I personally felt there wasn’t too much depth with the characters when it came to development, but I enjoyed my time with the crew nonetheless.

Spidersaurs is a beautiful homage to a bygone era of over-the-top ‘90s cartoons and challenging platformers. The game does enough to make it feel distinct from similar games, adding in special abilities and beautiful art and voice acting. The game is a challenging yet short experience. If you are a fan of Contra, you won’t be disappointed.

Whether or not you fancy yourself a platformer aficionado, Alwa’s Legacy should be on your playlist. It combines retro graphics with modern precision to create a wonderfully engaging experience that strikes a fun balance between platforming and puzzle solving.

Trigger Witch successfully combines a top-down RPG with a twin-stick shooter, creating a fun amalgamation of genres that works really well. It’s fun to play and provides plenty of exploration in a cute and colorful world that also happens to be ultra violent. I’d prefer less violence – or an option to turn it off – but there’s still plenty to enjoy here.

Crown Trick is a cute dungeon crawler with a great sense of humour, lovely animation and plenty to discover to keep you coming back to take on the chaos.

Turn off the lights and go into your play of Inscryption knowing you will experience a narrative like no other. The gameplay is well done, but the story that lies under it is perfect. If you are a horror fan, do not skip this one.

The platform and theme are simple, but Swordship is not easy. Its take on shmups is unique, its visuals are interesting and its story is just enough to inspire the whole “be the hero” ethos. If you like dodge-em games this one is a good addition to your game library.

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.

Fans of classic arcade games should love Donut Dodo, mainly because it gives them something new. It’s not a port; it’s a new game that looks, sounds, and plays like it should’ve been released in 1982. It’s a clever, low-cost addition to your digital arcade.

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

If you want your fix of Sherlock and don’t feel like whipping a book open, this game is a safe bet to whet your appetite. Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments has a ton of charm, uniqueness, and freedom, and with the right gamer, this will be a dream.

Disjunction is an action/arcade RPG with an effective emphasis on stealth combat—you can’t just stroll through shooting people. The look and feel of the game are slightly nostalgic, and there is some variety with the three characters you get to play. If you like sneaking around, this one is a fun option.

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.

Space Invaders may be a monumental entry in the history of gaming, but it’s not exactly the most enjoyable title in the Switch era. Super Destronaut DX-2 is if Taito’s debut title got a handful of QoL updates and thrown smack dab in the middle of a rave. It’s a solid entry in the arcade genre if you’re into classic space shooters.

Death’s Gambit’s Afterlife is a creative 2D platform that has incredible level and character design. The start menu and actual combat instructions could be more detailed, but all in all, it’s a very good game.

Like me, if you own most of the Pinball FX3 tables, this one should make its way to your library. I’ll continue to support Zen Studio’s DLC, popping my virtual quarters and again to top my high scores. Williams Pinball – Volume 6 is addictive fun.