Metal Slug Tactics is a good example on how to adapt a beloved franchise to an entirely new genre while keeping the elements that its fans cherish the most. Taking the form of a turn-based tactical game with roguelike elements, Metal Slug Tactics delivers a fun and challenging experience that requires a good deal of thinking and planning with regards to the approach to each mission. Its progression mechanics and high paced gameplay, along with the series' typical humour and gorgeous visual identity make this a marvelous game for fans of both the original series and turn-based games alike.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a fitting remaster of a game (or rather, of a pair of games) that has more than earned its place in the Donkey Kong Country series. A lovely audiovisual experience, levels with the distinct DK flair - including the barrels, the mine carts, Rambi, and the crazy enemies - and a gameplay packed with trial and error and collectibles, never too harsh but not a walk in the park either, this is an easy recommendation for players less versed in the original game. Those well acquainted with the original though will think twice when looking at the price tag for a remaster that does not bring significant new elements.

Thanks to its captivating plot around a disturbing series of murders, a frequently light-hearted humour completely at odds with the circumstances, and a fabulous visual presentation and art style, The Smiling Man makes a name for itself when it comes to a visual novel with a point & click adventure gameplay. At certain moments, however, it would be good for everyone if the game could rely less on trial-and-error and more on stimulating the player's detective instincts, lest the experience becomes longer for the wrong reasons.

The game has so many options and events that the experience is never identical with each time we play it, even if the management component can feel a bit repetitive at certain points. Players less versed in the musings of grand strategy and intricate storylines can feel intimidated by the myriad choices available, but those who enjoy their prescription of plot, management, character development and combat will have more than enough to keep their attention focused for a long time.

Sonic X Shadow Generations could not be a better celebration of the modern era Sonic legacy and a better tribute to Shadow. Its improvements make the original Sonic Generations a marvellous nostalgia trip for long running fans and an excellent entry point for new fans, while Shadow Generations is an extraordinary addition to the experience. Sonic X Shadow Generations truly brings the best of two worlds and it's a landmark in the series' legacy for everyone.

Go Mecha Ball is a fun and simple pinball action roguelike experience that does not try to go too overboard, and it works. Thanks to a simple approach that is quick to welcome new players, Go Mecha Ball can be enjoyed in short amounts of time and with a very simple learning curve. While it does not reinvent the wheel and its performance can suffer in later, more ambitious stages, Go Mecha Ball's bright visual style, its frantic and accessible gameplay, and fun mechanics make this a very recommended title to anyone looking for some quick, intense fun.

The relatively straightforward way with which the map develops leaves less room for exploration, and sometimes the characters' vocalized dialogues become too omnipresent, but Yars Rising does a good job when it comes to its action and retro-inspired moments, as well as with keeping us motivated to unlock and develop our characters' abilities in a true metroidvania fashion.

Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is both a welcome port that brings another classic to the Nintendo Switch, and a game that shows its age. The best improvement lies obviously on its visual upgrading, now full of details that make us want to explore every nook and cranny in each level. On the other hand, the game's structure - more fitting for a 3DS game - and control system feel somewhat dated, and there's little in terms of new elements that deliver a renovated experience.

WarioWare: Move It! knows how to stay loyal to a formula and still bring something new and fresh that can keep players frantically scrambling for those minigames. Thanks to a myriad of creative and delightfully crazy challenges and to the sharp use of the Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons, WarioWare: Move It! is certain to become a reference in the Nintendo Switch catalogue when it comes to party gaming like no other.

Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door still stands as one of the most beloved Mario RPGs and this remake hits all the right notes when it comes to preserving its legacy and bringing it up to today’s standards. Its unique plot and characters are left untouched, while the combat system is as slick as ever and the updated visuals, soundtrack, and new fast travel possibilities make this a benchmark with regards to remakes - not to mention, it’s still one of the finest Mario RPGs.

Naruto X Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections is not a revolution but it does wonders for the Ultimate Ninja Storm series and its fans. Featuring new plots lines that link perfectly with the previous plots, a massive roster of over one hundred characters - each of them with their own dedicated background - and a visual presentation that remains very much loyal to the source material, Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections falls short when it comes to combat complexity and a rather repetitive gameplay, but it's a welcoming game for new comers and a delight for old fans of the Naruto series.

Endless Ocean Luminous delivers its familiar formula of underwater exploration under a relaxing premise. It does several things right - namely its online multiplayer, which allows sharing discoveries with up to thirty players, and its well written soundtrack that fits nicely with the game's concept. Nevertheless, the single player experience quickly runs out of steam and ends up feeling too repetitive due to a lack of stimulation and repeat of the same objectives and actions. The flaws of Endless Ocean Luminous end up weighing more than its positive aspects, in an experience that runs out of motivation too soon and too easily.

This roguelike gets so many things right, it doesn't have to open new paths. Its exploration and mobility are implemented in a fun and engaging way, as is the character development, while the combat is frantic and the level bosses are simply astonishing, not to mention ruthless. All this takes place amid a gorgeous visual background and fluid animations that perform without a glitch. So even if Astral Ascent is not the most innovative roguelike ever seen, it's still more than enough to deserve a good look.

This fifth chapter is not a reboot, rather an experience that focuses on what Trine does best: fun and creative challenges. Trine 5's puzzles are a delight to tackle, and the game's slick level design allows the players to adjust them to the desired difficulty and approach them in different ways, while rewarding players that make the effort to explore more and more of the game's world. The co-op experience is a marvel too, as it opens new possibilities for solving specific puzzles. Trine 5 is without a doubt a game that the fans of the series and of adventure games with puzzle-solving will embrace.

Gothic II: Complete Classic brings us an opportunity to experience a landmark action RPG using today's means. While some of its elements need improvement, namely a graphic performance which suffers from occasional frame rate losses, and a control system that feels less natural on a console than the original game's did, this version of Gothic II stands out when it comes to its exploration, the way we approach our tasks, and multiple interactions which will keep players looking under every nook and cranny for a long time.

Disgaea 7 wants to reinvent the tactical RPG series for a new generation, and it passes the test with flying colours. Thanks to its improved gameplay mechanics, a comically engaging plot, enormous amount of content to explore, and added game modes, there is virtually no aspect in Disgaea 7 that is not an improvement over its previous chapters. It all amounts to a game that not only earned its place in the Nintendo Switch catalogue for Disgaea fans but also for newcomers who have never had contact with the series before.

The game delivers a very competent experience when it comes to its fun, varied gameplay, going from action/adventure to visual novel, and its stunning presentation fits in nicely with a well written plot. It leaves the players wanting for more, though. The supporting characters deserve a lot more protagonism, its hub world would benefit greatly from sidequests and further exploration, and some occasional performance issues need fixing.

Because it takes such risks with its plot and delivers very engaging puzzles, this sequel successfully musters from its sources an absolutely mind-blowing ending, which more than makes up for the game's flaws that include poor quicktime events and an over-reliance on sexualized humour that quickly loses its track. Fortunately, everything comes together and works out nicely in the end.

Its beautiful and detailed visual settings and marvelous soundtrack place the players right where they would love to be, and the game's exploration mechanics and combat keep pulling ahead towards discovering more new lands. Classic JRPGs can't get much better than Sea of Stars.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong is a well-executed remake of a Game Boy Advance classic with very welcome improvements in several fields while leaving the core gameplay intact. Simple and accessible, it will easily draw younger players with its straight-to-the-point puzzle platformer design, and the newly added local co-op sets a good benchmark for future games. The tougher challenges start later on, but for its price tag this game is a bit short, while Mario's more limited moves might leave some players yearning for the platform classics.

Afterimage is a gorgeous looking Metroidvania that wraps itself around its players with an enveloping plot, charismatic characters, and engaging combat system. While some of the exploration tasks can feel out of place at times and the plot takes a while to fully settle in, Afterimage is without a doubt a very welcome addition to the Nintendo Switch rich catalogue of Metroidvania games, and one that can stand proudly next to its peers.

Fashion Dreamer had the potential to deliver an engaging and fun experience, as its peers in the genre attest to, but beyond a glimpse of enjoyable gameplay during the creation of fashion sets, the game is unable to provide something coherent and competitive. The lack of any kind of consequences when it comes to the quality of our creations feeds a gameplay that does not motivate, and the game's limitations that extend to its online interactions make this an overall restrictive experience that's very lacking in motivation and keeping the players committed.

SteamWorld Build brings city builder, resource management, and dungeon crawling together for a lovely experience that will see us helping our charming steambot friends reach their new planet. With a simple and accessible approach that welcomes everyone in, the game makes sure we are in the know of what needs to be done, and allows players to advance rather quickly in what is a motivating and rewarding gameplay environment with a charming audiovisual work and a cast of affable and comical characters.

Super Mario RPG on the Nintendo Switch does an irreprehensible job at bringing back a 16-bit era gem and gives the source material a modern treatment that's able to delight any Mario fan. While it does not revolutionize the RPG genre, and its relative ease and short length fall short of the expectations of hardcore RPG enthusiasts, Super Mario RPG is a marvelous experience for those with a soft spot for the Mario universe, and its adaptation is brilliant, from the improved mechanics to the new challenges.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown marks a brilliant comeback of the series, this time thanks to a gameplay closer to a metroidvania-type of game that sees the player exploring new places and returning to other locations, while the game's emphasis on the plot and characters keeps the experience enthralling and captivating, and its audiovisual world provides a feast for the eyes and ears. Thanks to a customizable level of challenge and to its rich experience, The Lost Crown is marvelous for both fans of the Prince of Persia series, and for those who are just starting.

Days of Doom puts us amid a post-apocalyptic, zombie-infested world that ticks the required boxes when it comes to delivering a roguelite, tactical RPG experience. Its gameplay is simple and accessible, and the visual art style is stunning, featuring gorgeous designs and illustrations, but the game ends up becoming too repetitive for those less versed on roguelite experiences, and the amount of combat rounds that end up feeling nearly identical can turn this gameplay component into a chore.

With its gorgeous visual world and the sharp emphasis on the audio environment when it comes to solving puzzles, this is without a doubt a striking game that with its welcoming low price, has all the advantages in becoming a reference for adventure game fans.

This action RPG is capable enough to give the player an enjoyable and involving experience, notably thanks to its combat, and its remastered looks are also to be praised. At the same time, its actions can feel repetitive too quickly, and the camera often behaves in a frustrating way. Overall, Boundless Trails does not rise above its direct peers, but players looking for a more relaxed action RPG experience should definitely take a look.

Everybody 1-2 Switch! is the follow-up to launch title 1-2 Switch!, and as a party game that intends to gather players around its minigames, it's certainly ambitious and casts a wide net, with the possibility to use a smartphone as a controller on several minigames and the staggering capacity to handle one hundred players at once in some of its minigames. Unfortunately the way they are implemented is anything but simple and practical, and the higher the number of players involved, the more cumbersome the experience becomes. With a narrow appeal and quick lifespan, Everybody 1-2 Switch! falls behind several of its peers.

Thanks to a good sense of progression, the player will enjoy watching their endeavour grow, but Nova Lands veers off the right track when its sense of progression gives place to an overwhelming amount of objects and tasks on the screen, as well as game mechanics that become dull and repetitive too quickly. What's more, the game's controls are rather irregular in their response, and the performance suffers from too many issues. Overall, this is an experience that's best suited for intensive play, rather than a relaxed approach.

Pikmin 4 marks the return of one of Nintendo's most beloved series, and this return could not have happened in a better way. Thanks to its exquisite audiovisual world, slick gameplay mechanics, an enveloping strategic component, and the adorable relationship between the player and the little alien creatures, Pikmin 4 is nothing short of a jewel on the crown of the Nintendo Switch.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is nothing short of wonderful. One of the finest 2D Mario games ever made, it treats the players to a myriad of masterfully crafted levels, an exquisite audiovisual environment, and the familiar platforming experience where keeping Mario & Co. on the move just feels right and plays right too, all while reaching a fine balance between challenge and accessibility. A wonder of a game, not just in its effects but across the entire spectrum.

Fate/Samurai Remnant is an action RPG with Musou elements that acts as a welcome introduction to the Fates universe and brings a vast, rich world to explore. Accessible controls and a well implemented combat system are two of the game's main highlights, though performance issues and long loading times make the experience less breezy than it should be. All in all, Fate/Samurai Remnant is a captivating and addictive experience for fans of the genre and for those looking forward to get into the Fates universe.

Fae Farm is a rich and gorgeous looking life sim and farm sim experience. There is a wealth of things to do, harvests to reap, items to make, resources to mine, and characters to engage with, all this in a very inclusive environment that puts the player at home. Where Fae Farm does less well is on its adventure component, as the dungeons feel too forced and repetitive, and with so many things to do it's easy to lose track of things and feel overwhelmed. Still, fans of life sims and farm sims have plenty to enjoy here, and Fae Farm boasts an impressive lifespan to match their expectations.

Its fun mechanics and several pathways, the wealth of content to find and a soundtrack that fits like a glove on this cliché-ridden comedic experience mean that those players who know what to expect will find a fun and delightful game. Players outside its target audience, though, will struggle with enjoying the experience and are unlikely to become fans if they are not receptive to its mixture of on-rails action, visual novel interactions, and absurdist humour.

Horizon Chase 2 pays homage to classic arcade racing games with its dizzying speeds, marvelous landscapes, accessible gameplay and a very engaging multiplayer component. With car customization options for a more personalized experience and objectives that act as a motivation to move forward, Horizon Chase 2 is a thrill to play and will fit nicely in the Nintendo Switch of every arcade-style racing enthusiast.

EA Sports FC 24 is a very welcome arrival on the Nintendo Switch, which now finally has a full, all-round football game to boast about. While it's not perfect, especially when it concerns the loss of fluidity related to its framerate, the content and amount of game modes are enough to keep football fans satisfied experiencing the ups and downs of their players, managers and teams. The experience would be even better if the Ultimate Team mode did not make such an extended use of microtransactions, and if the online multiplayer component featured crossplay with other platforms.

Pikmin 2 follows Nintendo's skilful adaptation of its classic series and the result at hand is an all-round marvelous and high quality conversion of the original to today's age. Keeping the essence of the experience intact, Pikmin 2 on the Nintendo Switch is able to provide a captivating, evolving, accessible and in-depth adventure comparable to the original nearly twenty years ago, but adapted to today's standards, thus opening the doors to new players while stimulating the renewed interest on the Pikmin series at a much larger scale.

Its narrative structures are very well implemented, and the characters' story arcs fit nicely with the overall plot, and its combat mechanics, group management and skills also stand out for all the right reasons. Overall, this is a very recommended game not only to those about to begin their journey in the Trails series but also to those already familiar with this universe.

Citizen Sleeper marks an unusual arrival on the Nintendo Switch of an RPG inspired by board games, and it does a very good job at creating a somber and dystopian atmosphere with matching audiovisual qualities, while delivering enveloping parallel plot lines. Its short length, however, and a certain lack of gameplay mechanics that truly stand out, mean that Citizen Sleeper's appeal will be limited to players who are not part of its main target audience.

Lil Gator Game invites the player with its charming presentation and a no-stress and accessible gameplay approach to an adventure game, only to leave its marking with marvelous writing and delightful storytelling that deliver a touching and unforgettable homage to the powers of childhood imagination and friendship. Truly an indispensable gem in the Nintendo Switch catalogue, and a game with a soul that can bond with anyone.

The game does a great job at grabbing the player's attention and provides a fitting audiovisual environment, but its gameplay can often feel repetitive with a course of action that gets dull sometimes. For a game that makes use of so many dialogues, Oxenfree II is not always able to deliver the most interesting exchanges, and its plot development turns out to be more linear than it seems. Fans of plot-heavy games with mystery settings still have plenty to enjoy here, though.

If the horror atmosphere, marvelous presentation and good level design help Tormented Souls become a sharp experience, its often underwhelming puzzles, lack of new ideas or the way they are implemented, and irregular performance are a reminder that following the legacy of a beloved series is not enough. Nonetheless, Tormented Souls is a good horror and fans of the genre will most certainly draw something from it.

Rainbow Skies feels dated in several aspects and yet it has a certain appeal that is likely to captivate RPG fans willing to look past its flaws, namely its poor writing, subpar graphics, and seemingly arbitrary discrepancies in its difficulty. The game does have a fairly solid combat system, plenty of content, and a pleasant and varied soundtrack, which will be able to captivate and pose a good challenge to part of the audience but that won't be enough to garner a large crowd for Rainbow Skies.

Thunder Ray fills a gap in the boxing game genre and it's a good experience at that. with its slick gameplay and gorgeous visual style. Where Thunder Ray falls short is when it comes to its short length and rather arbitrary difficulty, which makes some fights extraordinarily more difficult than others without an apparent reason, and its needs a multiplayer component as well. With all that in mind, Thunder Ray is easy to recommend to anyone interested in boxing games and who hasn't had a chance to try any such offer for the Nintendo Switch.

Moving Out 2 builds upon its predecessor's concept and brings a hilarious and engaging effort, that joins comedy, fun gameplay, and multiplayer chaos in all its forms. Thanks to its intuitive but by no means facilitating controls, Moving Out 2 is quick to welcome new players but it makes them think and coordinate at all levels, especially in its multiplayer component. Moving Out 2 brings hours of fun to the Nintendo Switch. where it performs very well on its hardware and is a very welcome addition to the system's catalogue.

With its relaxed pace, simple and accessible controls, and non-competitive approach, The Ramp rewards fancy tricks and moves but doesn't try to reach much higher grounds, as the basis of its experience is one of simple fun. Even though it does its job well, The Ramp could certainly be more ambitious and feature more moves, not to mention more content to explore. As it is, The Ramp feels more like a bigger practice mode, appealing to players specifically looking for something along those lines but nothing more.

Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened is a remaster of a game originally released in 2007 and part of a long running series of mystery games about the renowned fictional detective. This chapter puts Sherlock in the midst of a supernatural affair, which is a departure from other works, but despite its interesting plot and captivating supernatural elements, the game's overall execution, technical issues, and too simplistic cases that offer little incentive to do anything else make this game difficult to recommend to any players other than hardcore fans of the Sherlock Holmes series.

Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical is not, as its name would suggest, an RPG but rather a visual novel where music is the main theme. Once that settles in, Stray Gods does a good job at appealing to fans of visual novels and at doing its own idiosyncratic portrait of Greek mythology in modern-day settings, with a gorgeous visual outlook and fun musical moments. The game's scope is rather limited in its options, though, and those who are not keen on visual novels will soon find themselves with little to do. For a music-themed game, Stray Gods also displays some inconsistency in the singing performances.

The gameplay will appeal to players who enjoy this kind of games, but it will feel repetitive to those who are less keen on its mechanics. Nonetheless, all players who are willing to tread new paths in Penko Park will find more reasons to keep the game in their hands and will find it less repetitive than it might seem at first.

Disney Illusion Island is a marvelous action/platformer with its fair share of Metroidvania elements set in a Disney-themed world. While this is not a combat-rich experience, the game world is a positive surprise on account of its design and size, as well as the way entirely different parts link together, not to mention its immense wealth of collectionable objects that almost make a small museum of their own. Its cut scenes, delightfully animated, are perhaps a bit too long, but Disney Illusion Island easily becomes a very reliable companion for fans of 2D platformers on the Nintendo Switch who want something that just keeps growing.

Fun, engaging and accessible, Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara can be equally enjoyed both in short bouts on the Nintendo Switch screen and in longer sessions on a television screen, as the experience easily suits both ways thanks to its captivating world and well implemented mechanics. The difficulty curve can seem unbalanced at times, but the game is very accessible to newcomers and a welcome addition to the Nintendo Switch catalogue.

Super Dungeon Maker brings together dungeon building with dungeon exploration in an effort that stimulates the player's creativity and whose very active online community ensures there's plenty to look for when it comes to design ideas. Keeping this community running at such a level will be very important to ensure Super Dungeon Maker's longterm appeal.

The original Pikmin shows beyond any doubt that it's a timeless classic and one that can be easily enjoyed both by long-time fans and new players alike. The experience is pretty much intact and remains perfectly faithful to the original, in a now complete effort that sees all the main games of the Pikmin series available on the Nintendo Switch. With its unique combination of puzzle-solving and strategic planning, Pikmin is a marvel of a game that more than deserves all the attention that the Switch large user base can dedicate.

Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg keeps itself very loyal to the original, even with a transition from 2D to 3D but the game's main mechanics remain overwhelmingly the same. This is worthy of praise, as the result is very positive and acts as a great introduction for new players as well as a pleasant return for fans of the Atelier series. Its renewal was carried out very competently, and its relaxed environment will facilitate the experience for those who want to play at their own pace. A marvelous addition to the Atelier series of RPGs.

Mr. Run and Jump gives players looking for a pure platforming challenge a real test of their skill. Its incrementally difficult levels that join a thousand deadly features to a thousand deadly enemies will require the sharpest and most responsive trial-and-error responses from anyone who dares to take it on. So much so that even with its assistance features, Mr. Run and Jump will leave out players less keen on such extreme challenges.

AEW: Fight Forever marks the arrival of a new name on console wrestling games but other than a rather competent and fun career mode, this production suffers from several flaws that need to be corrected if AEW is going to make a name for itself on wrestling video games. The unexplainable absence of popular match types and varieties, the lack of several high profile wrestlers, a below par visual display and a high sales price, coupled with many DLC packages that should have been included, make AEW: Fight Forever a game that requires considerable improvements that need to be implemented before the next incarnation.

While it's laudable that the game is quick to welcome players, who will find it very simple to step in, Robo Wars is too simple for its own good, and its repetitiveness leads inevitably to a more monotonous experience that has few points to set it apart from its peers.

DNF Duel is a 2D fighting game that features an extraordinarily accessible control system and move list that’s certain to put newcomers at ease while welcoming veterans as well. Its Story Mode could certainly have been more developed with such a rich lore, but the sharp, intuitive gameplay experience is going to fit like a glove on anyone who enjoys 2D fighting games.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is everything that a sequel to Breath of the Wild should be. While many may have expected it to stick to its predecessor’s formula, Tears of the Kingdom combines creativity and innovation to the series’ strengths, and adds a mixture of new, extraordinary gameplay mechanics, a world expansion that makes the game much larger, an unsettling and gripping new plot, and an improved technical performance. The result is a monument of a game that’s also one of the greatest video games ever made.

Teslagrad 2 brings a different approach to the Metroidvania style and with its gorgeously detailed backgrounds and entirely text-free visually-narrated story, it provides a very enjoyable option for fans of 2D puzzle platformers. Those looking for something more thrilling might come out disappointed, though, as Teslagrad 2 does not invest in engaging combat, whether with the regular enemies or the bosses. Still, and despite its somewhat short length, Teslagrad 2 is an original effort that will capture the attention of many fans of the style and genre.

The game’s combat could use more variety and creativity, though, and sometimes it’s hard to understand what’s going on while its audio environment needs improvement, but for most part Nocturnal is an engaging experience for fans of action platformers.

Metal Unit is a roguelike action game with plenty of options and control over the settings, including ways to make the experience more adequate to less experienced players, as well as very thrilling boss fights. At the same time, Metal Unit does not manage to stand out from its peers when it comes to the vast majority of the action, its level strutrue is rather repetitive, and its visual inconsistencies make this an experience more suitable for long-running roguelike fans, rather than for a broader audience.

Unheard - Voices of Crime Edition is a puzzle/adventure game with a unique concept: listening to testimonials and watching videos and solving crimes based on what has been heard and watched. It's an accessible and simple concept that sustains a satisfying experience with an amazing audio quality, even if nonetheless it feels rather short, and the overarching plot is quite limited.

Longtime fans who want to relive the original experiences will be less thrilled, given that the work gone in these remakes feels less ambitious than it should, with its lacklustre visual performance and changes to the art style, while new players won't be very pleased at the relative lack of options that could bring the game up to modern standards of turn-based strategy games. Nonetheless, the very fun gameplay mechanics remain firmly in place, and they are as good as ever, which is a very good point in favour of Advance Wars 1+2 Re-Boot Camp.

We Love Katamari Reroll+ Royal Reverie is everything that could be expected from a remaster that enhances its source material. Every single thing here is an absolute delight to the senses, from the impossibly crazy and bubbly soundtrack to the level design, the sheer pleasure of rolling more and more, and the high-grade visual adaptation, We Love Katamari Reroll+ Royal Reverie is an undeniable gem in the Nintendo Switch catalogue.

Relaxing, involving, and well-paced, Aquarist could use a slicker audiovisual environment and sharper controls, but overall, this is a rewarding experience for those who enjoy interacting with marine worlds.

Remnant: From the Ashes lands on the Nintendo Switch to defend its reputation and fans of soulslike games have plenty to enjoy here, amid Remnant's varied and original areas to explore, weapon customization, and boss fights. Its performance raises some issues, however, as the technical limits of the Nintendo Switch end up constricting Remnant's full potential, but as far as the gameplay experience goes, this is one of the best soulslike games on Nintendo's console.

Tales of Symphonia Remastered brings back one of the finest JRPGs ever made and for anyone who has no other way of experiencing the original, this could be an interesting choice. Unfortunately this remaster suffers from too many issues compared to the original, artistic and technical, and the result is a rather frustrating experience that should undergo a revision towards correcting its main flaws, as Tales of Symphonia deserves a much better contemporary treatment.

While a more ambitious transition to a home console format would only do better, the game is very competent at creating an atmosphere of suspense, even if there are several moments where the gameplay experience finds itself unnecessarily interrupted.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is an exquisite action-adventure spin-off from the Bayonetta trilogy that brings a series of new elements regarding its gameplay, boss battles and art style while reminding the player of everything that makes the Bayonetta series such a landmark of modern gaming. An absolutely indispensable addition to the Nintendo Switch catalogue that any fan of actions games should get their hands on.

Dragon Ball: The Breakers is somewhat of a surprise in the sense that a survival game is an unexpected way to take on the Dragon Ball series but The Breakers does a good job at its heart and it gives players a fun and engaging way to explore the Dragon Ball universe, both as survivors and villains. The experience would be more enjoyable if it had more offline and single player options, especially on a format like the Nintendo Switch.

Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe brings back a game originally released in 2011 and gives it a fully contemporary clothing under the form of renewed graphics and sound, as well as its fun and fluid gameplay that will appeal to both newcomers and veterans alike. Adding to all the improvements, this remake further brings two new game modes that extend the experience and contribute to the length of this platformer.

Its dynamic combat system is a marvel and will welcome adventure game fans and newcomers alike, while the game's exploration is implemented in a way that does not strand the player with no discernible path. Batora also features an open ended plot that's very praiseworthy for encouraging the player's curiosity, and the decisions the player faces will put a significant burden on their moral compass.

A Space for the Unbound is an adventure game that stands out for its absolutely gorgeous art style and memorable plot that brings in a bag of difficult themes for the player to come into contact with. As far as its gameplay goes, this is a rewarding experience featuring a great amount of puzzles, but its pacing is not what most players would expect, and often it's possible to be facing too many redundant tasks. This means that seasoned adventure game fans will feel more at ease with A Space for the Unbound, whereas a broader segment of the public might be put off by the way the game advances.

The dialogues and characters are fun, and the visual environment displays great quality and an art style that stands out for the best reasons. Its interactivity is nearly non-existent, though, and the few occasions where the player can make choices they amount to no consequence on the plot development whatsoever.

This new chapter features the best combat ever seen in the Fire Emblem series, as well as a new mechanic that sets up a link between characters of different games and their abilities, which is extraordinary. At the same time, Engage features the least interesting plot in the series, as well as many unnecessary dialogues that feel like a chore to go through. With an exquisite visual background, Engage's positive aspects should be more than enough to appeal to those who want to focus on the combat and interactions and who are willing to put the plot in the backseat of the experience.

Simple to learn, difficult to master, Mini Motorways is a game best enjoyed in short sessions, and with its minimalistic but effective audiovisual presentation and growing complexity, it's certain to appeal to players who enjoy games with a strong strategic component.

Under this Game of the Year Edition, Badland on the Nintendo Switch brings all its previous additions under one game and its wide amount of content to explore, a sharp physics-based gameplay mechanic and remarkable art style all contribute to make this a game well worthy of consideration from everyone looking for a good challenge.

Metroid Prime Remastered is what happens when one of the finest games ever made for a Nintendo console is given a modern, up to date treatment. Everything that was magnificent in the original game was the target of an impeccable work, from the breathtaking audiovisual environment to the exquisite control system, and it all fits perfectly in the Nintendo Switch. One absolutely indispensable game, Metroid Prime Remastered is the gold standard when it comes to remastering essential classics.

Chaos;Head Noah / Chaos;Child Double Pack is a long title but one that encapsulates an enveloping experience delivering two stories of suspense and mystery. Its most pressing issue is the translation, especially with regards to Chaos;Head Noah where many of the double entendres get lost, but nonetheless both games represent a very engaging effort with a good amount of disturbing moments that will grab the players' attention.

Helvetii is an interesting and gorgeous looking roguelite action game with a welcoming gameplay and frantic moments that will keep players captivated for a long time, with the added advantage of its procedural generation levels maintaining the player's attention for long. Overall, a welcome arrival to the Nintendo Switch catalogue amid its extensive set of indie games.

Railbound is a very accessible, clever and well-designed puzzle game that goes hand-in-hand with the Nintendo Switch and its key assets. Thanks to a finely implemented difficulty level and sense of progression, competent audiovisual presentation, and controls that work like a charm, Railbound becomes a perfect companion for quick gaming sessions with its challenging puzzles and rewarding experience.

It's not as ambitious as it should be, however, and its rather simple gameplay means it will be fairly quick to finish but the experience encapsulates the SpongeBob world and with the original voice actors lending their vocalizations, The Cosmic Shake does a good job at representing the world of this extremely popular animated series.

While games originally developed for mobile devices always display where they came from, it is clear that Package Inc was properly handled in the way the experience unrolls on Nintendo's console, whether playing it as a handheld game or on a television screen. Fun, accessible and challenging, Package Inc could benefit from more content but as it is, it's a great choice for anyone looking for a game that puts our strategic choices to the test.

Bayonetta is back and the long-awaited third game not only builds up on the excellent formula of games past, it goes one step forward and adds new protagonists, experiments with elements of other genres, improves on its plot structure, and allows all kinds of players to enjoy it, creating an experience that's both familiar and fresh, as well as accessible, thrilling, gorgeous, and enveloping. Bayonetta 3 is a fantastic addition to the Nintendo Switch catalogue and it deserves to be on everyone's collection.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet brings the Pokémon series to an open world experience and while there's plenty here to enjoy and co-op gameplay stands out very positively, there are several elements that needed more work, namely the difficulty balance that puts a hindrance on open world exploration, and the technical performance that raises unnecessary obstacles. Overall Pokémon fans still have plenty to explore here, and the plot grows increasingly interesting near the end, but Scarlet and Violet definitely could have benefited from a bit more time in the works.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet brings the Pokémon series to an open world experience and while there's plenty here to enjoy and co-op gameplay stands out very positively, there are several elements that needed more work, namely the difficulty balance that puts a hindrance on open world exploration, and the technical performance that raises unnecessary obstacles. Overall Pokémon fans still have plenty to explore here, and the plot grows increasingly interesting near the end, but Scarlet and Violet definitely could have benefited from a bit more time in the works.

The way the challenge is implemented feels just right, with each level progressing into something slightly more difficult in natural succession, and the game's simple interface and controls do a very good job at putting the player at ease. While there aren't many incentives to return to previously completed levels, Graviter is certainly quite a lovely piece to spend some time with, especially in a series of daily gaming sessions.

Let's Build a Zoo does not a bring a revolution to the building/management genre but it does its job in a competent, fun way. It's always amusing to try out combining different species, and with its colourful visual world and engaging mechanics, fans of the genre will have plenty to look forward to. Those less versed will find it more difficult, especially with the game's lack of tutorials or more in-game explanations.

Its additions make what was an already slick and fun experience even better, and the open world maps now bring a dimension of exploration, which coupled with a gorgeous visual environment, a very fitting soundtrack, and a finely executed co-op multiplayer all contribute to make River City Girls 2 a bright gem in the Nintendo Switch catalogue.

SD Gundam Battle Alliance is a great example of fan service and one which does a very good job at celebrating the Gundam series for its long-running fans. If this group will be delighted at the huge number of robots to unlock and enjoyable combat, those less versed are more likely to see the game's flaws with regards to repetitive missions and a rather lacklustre plot. With all things considered, SD Gundam Battle Alliance is an action RPG that mostly aims for the Gundam fans group rather than for a general audience.

The changes implemented in this release help consolidating the experience, with emphasis on the vehicle and character development mechanics, coupling it with an enjoyable exploration effort. It's more difficult to understand why several plot elements were removed, though, and things could be better from a technical performance point of view, but as it is this is without a doubt the best version of the game released so far.

Featuring a cast of captivating characters, decent combat system and some interesting gameplay mechanics, there's enough here to appeal to long-running fans. However Rune Factory 5 disappoints when it comes to its visual performance, even to the point of harming the gameplay experience, while its exploration can quickly become repetitive. The result is a game that could have been much more enjoyable had these elements been treated differently.

Aeterna Noctis is a fine metroidvania that does a great job at taking inspiration from some of the most outstanding games in the genre. Its visual world and level design stand out and for good reasons, while the game's welcoming pace allows players to focus on the exploration. At the same time, the game's pacing can also be a weak point as it makes it harder to keep focused, and a very high difficulty level may put off less experienced players while its long loading times make the experience less enjoyable.

Beacon Pines is a charming indie game that puts the player at the centre of a fairy tale adventure as it develops one chapter after another, with our acts having consequences on the game's plot. While the game's focus is not on an action-packed experience, the lovely art style and soundtrack and the way it balances between a kid-friendly look and gloomier and sinister environments makes Beacon Pines a thrill in its own league.

Neptunia x Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars looks ambitious and indeed sets high expectations under the form of a platforming hack and slash that looks good and can rightfully boast about its comical dialogues. Where Ninja Wars falls short though is in fulfilling all its ambition, and the game's disappointing lifespan and feeling of repetitiveness make this an effort that could have gone much further but which doesn't achieve what its expectations set out.

An absolutely indispensable cooperative work that goes beyond the usual boundaries of co-op gaming and ventures into the fundamentals of human relationships, It Takes Two will captivate its players with an array of vast worlds to explore, a creative and varied gameplay, and an experience that's easily accessible even for those with little or no gaming background.