Devil May Cry 5 Devil Hunter Edition on Switch 2 is an impressive port that still feels fresh even considering its age. It’s performance is great, especially in handheld mode. If you did already play it on a different platform, specifically if you grabbed the Special Edition, then the omissions mean you could skip this version and not miss anything. But if this would be your first time following Dante, Nero, and V on this new adventure, it’s a great way to play it.

My Little Puppy is about the journey one dog makes to finally reunite with the person he loves, and it’s filled with touching moments.

Mousebusters continues Odencat’s trend of pairing adorably detailed, charming spritework with an interesting story. It won’t last long! It’s not terribly difficult. But it’s quite entertaining while it lasts.

Stray on Switch 2 is a step up from the adventure on the original Switch version of the game, though it probably still isn’t the ideal way to step into the cat’s paws. It does look better! It runs better! The frame rate is more stable. The mouse controls feel more like a gimmick and aside than a truly viable way to play, unfortunately. Also, it’s still not the prettiest and best way to play. But it is better than what we had, which is nice.

Schrodinger’s Call is an atmospheric and emotionally engulfing visual novel that lets us work out mysteries while offering closure. This is all accompanied by striking, surreal visuals. By chronicling people’s lives and last thoughts at the very end, we get opportunities to learn about who they really were and how their choices shaped the world. By listening, maybe we’ll even see how Mary being there as the last confidant influences them too.

Mina the Hollower is a a robust game that is a joy to play and proves Shovel Knight wasn’t lightning in a bottle for Yacht Club Games. The story is interesting. The heroine is capable. The combat challenges a player and gradually builds up in its demands. The world is strewn with secrets.

LumenTale: Memories of Trey may have a few quirks on the Switch, but I like Beehive Studios’ take on the Pokemon concept. The combat system is solid and encourages you to think about every character’s moveset. The character design is great. I love that it offers its own take on Secret Bases. The mystery behind what’s going on with Trey and the world can be pretty interesting too. A few minor issues aside, it’s an interesting addition to the monster taming and training genre.

Coffee Talk Tokyo is another serving of the same experience Toge Productions served up before, and it’s still quite delicious. It is an acquired taste, as those who aren’t fond of visual novels might not vibe with it. But those who appreciated the storytelling and low-pressure approach of the original will enjoy this pretty follow-up.

Zero Parades understands its position within gaming culture. Like the protagonist, Hershel Wilk, it’s weighted down by a complicated past, but willing to move forward. The game is at best when ZA/UM’s trying to do new things, both with its mechanics and its writing. With the latter, it triumphs. However, while I still deeply enjoy its mechanics, both new and familiar, a part of me wishes that the game was bolder and willing to differentiate itself even more from its predecessor.

Tales of Arise: Beyond the Dawn Edition is as strong of a JRPG on the Switch 2 as it was on the PS4, and the port works perfectly. It runs so well, and it’s a delight to play in handheld mode. This also being the full and complete version of the game with the expansion and cosmetic DLC also helps it feel like a strong new staple to the system’s RPG library.

Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is not only an unusual platformer, its experimental nature can make it feel like an entirely new type of experience. I’m delighted by the idea of popping in and out of levels to investigate new finds about creatures and learning about what to expect from them based on an array of interactions. Especially since each case feels quite different from the other, turning every character into a puzzle to solve. It feels like a casual, relaxed sort of safari.

Nitro Gen Omega feels totally original, even if it takes a little adjusting to life as a mecha mercenary.

If you want to do well in Wax Heads, you need to pay attention to the people, writing, art, and music around you. There’s a line in the tutorial that suggests “records are like puzzle boxes,” and that’s very true. You never know when taking the time to actually look at the LP itself or investigate the back notes could result in finding exactly what the customer is looking for. Which, in turn, makes the experience all the more satisfying for you as a player.

Magical Princess is an admirable daughter-raising and stat management game, and it feels like Neotro and Magi learned from the example Princess Maker set. It’s more streamlined when it comes to presenting information. The Skill and EX Skill system also can make it less daunting and easier to succeed when pursuing certain goals. Most importantly, I really appreciated how important bonds seemed to be here. It really establishes the character Alice as someone with a family and friends who care about her.

Essentially when you experience Opus: Prism Peak, you need to pay attention and play with a purpose. Imagine yourself as Eugene. Think about his mindset and life. Think about your own struggles and past. Do you choose optimism or pessimism? Do you attempt to connect? Do you reject? This is a game where the more you put into it, the more you get in return.

Vampire Crawlers offers Wizardry-like dungeon-crawling and roguelike deckbuilding without abandoning the Vampire Survivor roots.

Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream builds on the previous entries in the series, with Nintendo crafting a simulation that goes above and beyond with customization elements. It’s as silly and joyful as past games, while letting us basically build the Mii island of our dreams. Minigames can be a hit or miss, especially when it comes to ones that keep proposals from going smoothly. Plus the walled garden nature of it makes it so difficult to share that with others. Unless you can actually manage to meet up with people for local wireless, there’s no way to swap, and it’s a shame that there are extra steps tied to sharing moments. Still, aside from it being locked down, it’s lovely.

Shinehill is an unexpected delight, and it offers a Resident Alien sort of twist on the farming life sim genre. Is it still cozy even when you’re infiltrating a community and carrying out not-always-moral objectives? Shockingly, yes! It is a little buggy in its current state, but it feels stronger every day and is absolutely an unusual approach to a traditional type of simulation.

Arcadia Fallen II feels like it tells a stronger story than its predecessor, and it’s one that feels quite relevant. The character development is handled well. Choices feel like they matter, and we can see results of certain actions. However, since this is still a story where there’s no wrong answer, the storyline will mostly follow the same path until later in the tale when those big decisions play out. Given the range of choices you can make, I could see it being with at least playthroughs to get an idea of the different outcomes.

Homura: The Crimson Warriors feels like an otome game for folks who loved Birushana and Hakuoki. The narrative and themes all follow similar courses. However, it does feel unique and like its own thing even with the whole supernatural enemy, warriors fighting back and rebelling, all while the sole female member of the group ends up being the sort of woman all of them could fall for. It’s a fun story for folks who like a little history and supernatural side to their love stories.

Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection is another win for Capcom game preservation efforts. It grants us access to elements unseen outside of Japan. We get complete control over the experience, with opportunities to make it easier or more difficult. We choose exactly how it displays, making the two-screen game feel as comfortable as someone would like. I’m still a bit disappointed with some font and HD filter appearances. But if you love Mega Man, this is another lovely tribute to an enjoyable spin-off series.

Fishbowl is a heartfelt story about dealing with many different life changes and traumas at once, all while finding a way forward. How we do so depends on choices we make. Not just responses to people around Alo, but how she chooses to live her life and push forward. While some of that routine might feel a little boring, that too feels like a commentary on life and how difficult it might feel to keep moving forward when seeing tangible results takes time. It’s one of those games where you start to really see how important actions are once you’re a few hours into it.

I still feel Super Mario Bros Wonder – Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park is a 9 out of 10 game, but the upgrade is really geared toward the multiplayer experience. Especially if you have folks who can play with you locally for the new Luma co-star, Toad Brigade Training Camp, or Bellabel Park stages that highlight co-op and versus elements. If you don’t have that kind of community around you, then I think the base version of the game would meet your needs.

Bonnie Bear Saves Frogtime features the same heart and humor as other Bonte Avond games. Even better, it pairs that with a strategy game that might seem simple, but gets more involved as you find frogs. It’s incredibly charming, and Bonte Avond proves adept at making someone smile and tear up within the span of a few hours.

Ratcheteer felt really impressive when it debuted on the Playdate, and the DX version is just as enjoyable on the Switch. I do think it felt a little more special when bound to the limitations of Panic’s handheld. It still looks and runs quite well, and this short, top-down action-RPG can be a pleasant way to enjoy an afternoon.

Planet of Lana II is quite a successful sequel that builds on the original in pretty much every way. Wishfully also tells its story in a fascinating way that still leaves every intention and action crystal clear. It might take some time to adjust to inputs, but it’s a brief adventure with interesting puzzles and a promising cliffhanger.

I’m usually a sceptic about remaking influential video games. However, I think Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake walks a fine line between revamping an old title, with its improved systems and added side stories, and keeping everything that made the original PS2 game a special and deeply influential experience at the time. It remains a very special game, and there’s more to chew on for fans.

Path of Mystery: A Brush with Death ranges from dramatic to comedic as we watch college students attempt to solve a cold case, and Imagineer and Toybox handled its execution and presentation well. It looks great, with dynamic scenes, vivid character portraits, and clear visual distinctions between the past and present. It also manages to balance the tone well, hitting the right sorts of beats with appropriate emotions. It definitely reminded me of the Ace Attorney series, and I think folks who liked one would enjoy the other.