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.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land takes the Kirby series into 3D in a wonderfully designed, bursting with personality adventure. It might not be the most challenging game you ever play, but there are enough secrets in the game to leave anyone going back for more. Its beautifully designed environments, characters and overall humor make Kirby and the Forgotten Land a game that leaves a smile on your face. Its co-op mode is a bit of an afterthought, lacking any power-ups or true definition of what the second player is doing on your adventure. However, those with smaller kids wanting a first-time platform in a game to play, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is perfect for them. If you’re planning on playing solo, then Kirby and the Forgotten Land is one of Nintendo Switch’s must-play 3D platforms. It’s simply too fun of an experience for anyone to miss!

The Last Cube is a challenging (but fair) logic game that can be enjoyed by both casual and hard-core puzzle solvers. The interesting visuals and strict focus on the puzzles create an atmosphere in which it’s easy to stay lost even when frustration starts to set in.

Dawn of the Monsters should be on your list if you’re looking for a great co-op kaiju beat ’em up. The beautiful artwork and range of different characters and abilities will have you changing up who you pick until you find the one that fits your play style. Boss battles are tough but manageable, but they will require you to customize your character with the different augments best suited to the fight. I’ve been playing solo and with my kids, who absolutely love playing as a giant beast, smashing through the landscape, and taking out the monsters. And frankly, who wouldn’t love that?

Kombinera describes itself as a brain-bending puzzle platformer, and it succeeded in every word of that description. If you’re a fan of simple yet stunning visuals and popping colors coupled with a highly addictive puzzle game Kombinera is precisely for you.

As a concept, Ashwalkers is fascinating, mixing the survival genre with a visual novel. The world created in Ashwalkers is one of hope surrounded by despair, but the execution lacks the polish to make this one a game that I could suggest. The technical issues alone should have been caught before the release. But even with that aside, the lack of character development and a risk and reward system makes for a very dull experience.

I can’t really give Aztech Forgotten Gods a recommendation. What looked like a grand action adventure with interesting storytelling, exotic imagery, and cool gadgets, turned into a blancmange—several ingredients, but flavorless and unsatisfying. It could be worth the price-tag if it gets cleaned up and organized, but I wouldn’t buy it at this point.

The Cruel King and the Great Hero is a heartwarming adventure game told in a children’s storybook style. Follow Yuu on her quest to become a great hero, just like her father. Whether she’s helping the monsters in her kingdom, doing good deeds for those around her, or fighting enemies to keep her kingdom safe, her tale is always charming and fun.

Republique Anniversary Edition has an interesting story, fun sneaking gameplay, and quite a bit of the game to play. That said, is there anything exceptional about this Anniversary Edition? Not really. The change in perspective from its original release ruins the experience. It was far more tense, and ultimately enjoyable, when I was not in direct control of the main character. My actions felt far scarier because of their consequence on the main character. With the new perspective, I may be in control of the character, but I can’t see anything in front of me. In the end, if you were a huge fan of stealth games, then maybe Republique is for you. If you’re looking for the next great futuristic adventure, then you’re likely in for a disappointing time.

Autobahn Police Simulator 2 (if grabbed on sale) could be a solid choice for certain types of players willing to invest the time and overlook quirks. But it overpromises and underdelivers, with a dated presentation sure to turn off many. Combined with a lack of Switch optimization, it warrants waiting for a deep discount on your wishlist.

The Ramp was made for a specific purpose and it serves that purpose. I just wish I had more fun doing it. However, if you’re into skateboarding and don’t care about all the extra stuff, you might want to check this one out. Otherwise, wait for the next Tony Hawk Remaster.

A fun point-and-click game from 2012 that you can tell is at least a decade old. The storyline is interesting and will make up for some of the visual flaws of the game.

Triangle Strategy pushes heavily into its narrative, perhaps to the detriment of its turn-based combat. That will turn some away. But for those who are willing to push through, you’ll find the game worth (nearly) every second you put into it. Excellent level design, diverse character abilities, and a tense political climate generate an engrossing experience for JRPG fans.

Inukari is a somewhat charming platformer marred by sloppy presentation and gameplay. The story is an interesting one, despite the errors, and the characters are neatly rendered in a retro way. Unfortunately, the whole thing seems unfinished or unpolished, which is a shame because it has potential.

Tempest 4000 is perceptibly held back by a clunky UI, missing two-player modes, and a gimped AI Droid. But it’s still recommended, thanks to its superb audio/visual package and “one more time” gameplay. Especially for series fans, getting “in the zone” will ensure this entry has high replay value. Being able to enjoy this in handheld mode on the Switch is a big plus also.

Puzzle & Dragons Nintendo Switch Edition brings the popular mobile game to the Nintendo Switch. It comes at a low enough price to give puzzle fans something to play for a few hours. Making your own levels and downloading others is a fun distraction, but overall there’s nothing new on offer here.

While it might not be to the level of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, but Chocobo GP definitely earns its spot as a must-play on the platform IF the microtransaction system was removed. Square Enix has come out and said they are listening to fan feedback and will try to tone the system down. However at the time of this review, Square Enix has not pushed through that update. This makes it tricky to recommend Chocobo GP at this exact moment. There’s a lot of fun to be had and I genuinely would continue playing this game. Yet I would strongly caution those interested in the title to hold out until the microtransaction system is fixed. By then progression will be as it should be and actually reward you for playing. Until then, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe just got new content…

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.

Young Souls combines two genres, beat ‘em ups and RPGs, beautifully. The story is intriguing, and the artwork is stunning. Mix in a bunch of equipment that you can upgrade and explore, and you have a well-built game. It takes a lot for a game to break into my all-time favorite list for this genre, but Young Souls did just that.

Remember when Fire Emblem games focused more on story and combat than on fishing, construction, and class studies? So do the developers of Dark Deity, an SRPG that survives some annoying bugs and UI issues to provide a satisfying, briskly-paced adventure.

Quest for Infamy is an excellent outing for fans of those old-school, point-and-click fantasy games of yesteryear. It’s packed full of missions, side-quests, and things to discover, albeit a little bare. The writing and characters breathe so much life and comedy into this game that you can’t help but have a merry old time with Mister Roehm.

Gal*Gun Double Peace is an on-rails shooter with light elements of a dating sim. The lightly smutty aspect of the game is unashamedly its big selling point, but if you get into the mechanics of playing it successfully, you can get some solid gaming entertainment out of it.

MacGuffin’s Curse is a solid entry into the maze/puzzle genre. It’s low-pressure, you can correct your mistakes quickly, and the writing has a cheesy comedic tone that’s very chill. And as an entry into the werewolf/jewel thief genre, it’s the frontrunner of the year.

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.

Broken Blades is another addition to the rogue-like genre, that may not be a must play, but has enough good ideas to make it a worthwhile purchase for hardcore rogue-like fans.

Dexter Stardust: Adventures in Outer Space is a great point-and-click game with clever writing and puzzles; I was hooked from the beginning. At only $9.99, it’s easy to recommend this title to genre fans.

A Musical Story is a short rhythm game that stands out with genuinely good original music, a touching story, and amazing visuals. If you’re a fan of music, art, or all things creative, this game is certainly right up your alley.

Swords & Bones is a charming platformer with fun graphics and music. However, the controls are wonky, and there isn’t much replay value.