Pikmin may be a somewhat overlooked Nintendo franchise, but it’s also consistently one of their best. Pikmin 4 is arguably the best game in the series, making it a perfect place for newcomers to start. And if you’ve played the previous games, it’s a fantastic reward for your patience between releases.

Might & Magic – Clash of Heroes: Definitive Edition’s nearly perfect combination of puzzle and RPG elements make for engrossing gameplay that’s only occasionally hampered by frustration with the components that involve random luck. Whether this is your first playthrough or a double (or even triple) dip, it’s not to be missed.

This May Madness Lies blends JRPG elements with the world of William Shakespeare. It has a lot going for it, from a humorous story to a wonderful 16-bit styling that smacks of classic ‘90s titles. It’s not the toughest or longest title, but fans of anime, Shakespeare, or JRPGs in general, will find much enjoyment here.

Cross Tails is one of KEMCO’s more unique releases in quite some time. Although the story never surprises, the gameplay mechanics of this isometric, tactical JRPG certainly do. Turn-based combat fans shouldn’t let this one slip past without serious consideration.

It’s a shame that the unique elements of Onigo Hunter (monster acquisition, map trimming) have only a marginal impact. You’re left with a generic RPG, the kind that many uninformed associate with the publisher. This game could be comfort food to grab on sale, but there are superior offerings from this publisher.

Brain Show is a snarky trivia game (aren’t they all these days?) in which up to eight (local) players face challenges involving questions centered around pretty much any category you can think of. Hosted like a TV game show, Brain Show has a fun sense of humor that keeps things enjoyable and challenging.

Super Dinoblasters is a fun little indie platformer that provides an enjoyable experience at a discount price. With retro throwbacks and visuals, you can tell a lot of love has been put into development. With some minor tweaks and a speed increase, plus a few more levels, this one has real potential.

Although the story in the adventure puzzle game Frank and Drake takes a while to get going, it does eventually draw you in. There are several, non-linear paths to complete the game, allowing you to play through several times and explore all the options and elements. And the unique, rotoscoped animation looks great through each time.

Smushi Come Home is a genuinely adorable exploration game with a simple, idyllic world to explore and fun characters to interact with. It offers a pleasant adventure to while away an afternoon or two.

If it gets patched and put on sale, I’d say go for Fall of Porcupine, as it’s informative and memorable. But this charming, albeit short game with a lot of heart put into it deserves better than the bugs it has. I don’t think I can recommend it in its current state. The worse patient Fall of Porcupine needs to cure is itself!

Flutter Away is a very peaceful and relaxing collection game in which you explore the rainforest, capture new butterfly species on camera, and befriend capybaras. Though it is a very simple and quick playthrough, Flutter Away provides a warm and fun environment to explore while it lasts.

Road Builder had the potential to be a great game. However, the main mode was broken, and there wasn’t much else to do with a limited custom mode and lack of online play.

Homebody is a horror puzzle/adventure in which you must escape a house filled not only with old friends and awkward conversations, but also a murderer. The combination of puzzle solving and detection avoidance combine for a tense but accessible—and surprisingly emotional—experience.

Fitness Circuit offers a convenient, flexible, and thorough way to get in some guided exercise. The visuals look like an anime adventure, the audio is well done, and the controls are easy to use. Kudos to the developers, as Fitness Circuit is an easy recommendation for your Switch library.

Overall, ProtoCorgi is a fun shooter that’s deceptively difficult. The builder mode adds some longevity, especially at its budget price. The retro cartoony design is also great, creating an overall enjoyable shooter that stands out from the crowd.

Garlic is difficult retro platformer that manages to be accessible to those normally put off by “difficult,” “retro,” and “platformer.” Copious checkpoints and a fun mix of styles, visuals, and mini-games should push even the more casual gamers through. Give Garlic a try; the taste may surprise you.

For those familiar with this long-time simulation/strategy series, Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening may feel like a warm welcome home. But as a newcomer, I found the game a confusing mess, and the Switch version frustrated my every attempt to enjoy playing it.

Skye Tales is a cute and cozy adventure puzzle game, short enough to enjoy over a weekend. Yet, it’s also long enough that a player might lose interest halfway through as the way to solve puzzles becomes quite repetitive.

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.

I know I’ve spent a lot of time discussing my qualms with this new formula for Zelda games but I did still enjoy myself. Don’t get me wrong, everyone should play Tears of the Kingdom. The new outfits to find are fun and varied, the caves are really interesting and Ultrahand has some fun uses. It is an incredible achievement but it’s just not what I’m looking for in Zelda games. That’s a shame for those of us that want those classic elements back. I don’t think the Zelda ‘formulas’ are mutually exclusive. I think there’s a better balance they can strike but they’re not there yet. I can only hope Nintendo takes stock of the sincere critiques of these two Zelda games and find ways to accommodate all Zelda fans moving forward.

Speed Crew is a fun game to play with the family or a group of friends, but I don’t recommend playing by yourself. If you’re a fan of co-op games like Overcooked or Moving out, Speed Crew will be a game you enjoy. However, if you’re looking for something to play alone, I’d skip this one.

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.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the gift that keeps on giving. Who knows what the future holds for the franchise? For now, this latest wave provides more fun and excitement to tide us over until the final round of tracks heads away later this year.

Etrian Odyssey II HD follows a nearly identical path to its prequel while boasting some features that embellish the fun of the original. It pairs a very similar storyline and gameplay with equally refreshed graphics and music to celebrate its port to the Switch.

Atlus gave DS series fans more of what they enjoyed with this entry. Now, thanks to SEGA’s publishing, additional players can experience what all the fuss was about. It’s unnecessary for me to extend this review any further with nostalgic gushing or flirts with spoilers. To conclude, while newcomers might prefer starting with the first game to determine if its repetition becomes addictive, existing fans might find Etrian Odyssey III HD is the installment they want.

Fans of All Elite Wrestling should feel quite comfortable within the sometimes goofy but always engaging AEW: Fight Forever. Technically, there’s room for improvement, but the game nails the AEW tone and arcade gameplay that are the reasons many wrestling game fans have been seeking for quite some time.

Ray’z Arcade Chronology does what it should as a shmup. Lots of things shoot at you and you shoot at lots of things as you learn the required patterns. There’s desperation and frustration to overcome as you deal with the copious dying. And it all leads to the thrill of finally taking out the boss. While not every aspect of the game is stellar for what it contributes, this is a fun collection that’s worthy of a spot in your Switch library.

A lower learning curve gives Garden Simulator accessibility the genre isn’t known for. The lack of touchscreen support is a negative worth noting, but the overall title (quirks and all) evens out as something worth digging a little deeper into.