Kokoro Clover: Season 1 is a good game for younger players that may be new to the platforming genre. The storytelling is the best feature of the game, and the presentation is unique, making it unlike anything else I’ve played before. The game ends with a bit of a cliffhanger, opening the door for a second season, which I hope happens.

While it can be fun to run around smashing stuff and listening to a cool soundtrack, Ape Out is a bit of a one-trick pony. When you boil it down, it’s a maze runner with a smash-the-bad-guys element. Don’t get me wrong—the theme may be simple, but the game is fun to play. It’s challenging enough to keep you entertained for several hours so go let your inner monkey run wild for a while.

Link-a-Pix Deluxe is a fun and relaxing puzzler that uses number logic to uncover hidden pictures. There’s plenty on offer here, with more available as DLC. As a “deluxe” title, is a shame it wasn’t all bundled together.

It’s hard to mess up Breakout as it remains fun after all these years (decades even), but darn if Choice Provisions nearly did with their inexplicable decision to lock content, including online leaderboards. The fact that the game still succeeds despite this blunder is a testament to their talent and the timeless source material.

Touhou: New World is the refreshing, fast-paced RPG you didn’t know you wanted. If you’re after something a little lighter and a little different, this one might be worth your time.

Regardless of how “intense” it is (or isn’t) Shakedown: Hawaii is still a fun, beautiful game, and I enjoyed my overall experience with it.

While Fight Crab is far from the best fighting game I’ve played, it is among the funniest fighters, which gives the title real value, despite its quirks.

If you have an hour or two to spare, Macbat 64: Journey of a Nice Chap is pretty good for the inexpensive price. The blurry visuals and the subpar camera are part of the nostalgic charm. The fun characters and level designs have me hoping for a more substantial sequel. So, pick this one up to help make it happen.

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.

Overall, Tevi is a beautiful-looking side-scrolling metroidvania with bullet hell and RPG elements. A heavy load of dialogue slows things down initially, but there’s a deep game hiding beneath the surface with satisfying action and gameplay.

Oddworld: Soulstorm – Oddtimized Edition is a darker take that tests the titular Abe in a much bigger quest. The high-quality cinematic style is impressive, and the game plays well overall. It’s less humorous than the original, and lacks that nostalgic factor fans of the ‘90s versions may have. Yet it’s still a challenging and entertaining platformer that will test your patience and prowess.

The Princess Bride Pinball isn’t Zen’s best work with movie licenses, but there’s still some good fun to have here. I appreciate the genuine voices, plus licensing that didn’t jack the price, a la India Jones at $14.99. I can think of no better game to play after eating a nice mutton lettuce and tomato sandwich. Give this DLC a buy.

Battleship is guaranteed entertainment, and this version has several features elevating it beyond a simple board game. My only concern when it comes to replayability and value is the big glitch I encountered. So, even with things to unlock, I have some real pause concerning a solo recommendation. But it’s great in zippy multiplayer, and you don’t need to worry about gathering up small pegs afterward. This isn’t a “best-case scenario” digital version, but no matter how you play it, it’s undeniable that Battleship is still one of the quintessential games.

Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore parodies a pair of uncanonical Zelda games while ensuring its experience is more than a one-note joke. The realization of these efforts makes for a good game, but one whose appeal may be limited. Still, the attention to detail here demands respect. How about following up on this release by mocking CD-i’s top-down take, Zelda’s Adventure, next?

While some of its puzzle flow can be hit-or-miss, The Sundew delivers an entertaining graphic adventure. While I hate to see the sound design miss the mark so badly, genre fans should enjoy pointing and clicking their way through this tale’s surprises.

Mystic Pillars is a challenging but fair puzzle game, offering strong visuals, music and story to accompany the puzzles. For anybody who enjoys a fresh challenge Mystic Pillars is worthy of your time.

Although the improv gameplay of What the Dub?! is somewhat basic and repetitive, it presents numerous opportunities for MST3K-style hilarity. You don’t need to be a fan of movies to enjoy this party game; you just need to be quick-witted (or have funny friends).

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.

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox has the type of performance issues we shouldn’t be seeing on consoles these days. When it’s cooking, however, it provides a fully satisfying JRPG adventure for those seeking unique monsters to fight, vast environments to explore, and intriguing mysteries to unravel.

Regina & Mac recreates the ’90s with its retro-inspured 3D worlds. It’s a little on the blocky side, but the mechanics are clever, fun and challenging. The amusing characters are a bonus, too.

Ninja Gaiden II remains a memorable and well-made game (great in respects). But it’s showing its age, even among some of its 8-bit contemporaries. This release is recommended for NES fans, especially those who grew up with it, and can better tolerate its accumulated quirks. Others may consider waiting for a sale, unless you want to support Console Archives from the outset, since the game is also available on Nintendo Switch Online.

I was genuinely surprised by the game’s level of depth outside the cockpit and how much I enjoyed it. If you like simple shooters and sims that extend beyond the tarmac, I’d consider checking this one out.

Flora & Fang: Guardians of the Vampire Garden is the type of game that would’ve kept my friends and I entertained late into a 1980s Saturday night. Familiar arcade gameplay is supplemented by modern tower defense strategies and upgrades, providing more longevity than first expected.

Jet Kave Adventure is a fun action/platformer that anyone can enjoy. It’s a little on the short side (for the price) and could use some extra features to keep the player interested, but it looks great and is easy to play.

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

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.

Shuten Order is so all over the place that its eShop listing doesn’t even provide a genre. But don’t take that as a lack of focus; this game knows what it wants to accomplish, and does so effectively. Players seeking a text-heavy adventure with uncomfortable choices to make are in for a wild (albeit occasionally overlong) time.

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.