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.

If the plot and background events are mere motifs, the combat is accessible and easy to get into, which along with its variety of game modes and components like local multiplayer and a map editor make this an enjoyable experience, even though it doesn't go out of its way to become a groundbreaking game among its peers and a certain monotony becomes inevitable after some time.

Thanks to an exquisite art style, a challenging combat system, a very interesting mind-based plot and a very well implemented and flexible character development model, Monark boasts elements that are worth highlighting. Where Monark does less well is on its execution, though, as well as on its simplistic and repetitive puzzles, but it's the game's laggy performance that often harms the experience and makes it difficult to enjoy to anyone beyond a core of RPG fans.

Earth Defense Force: World Brothers brings a new visual approach to the EDF series but while the aesthetics are new, the gameplay experience remains mostly the same, though more accessible for a wider audience. World Brothers also brings a myriad of characters, which help make this a rich experience, but the lack of local co-op multiplayer using a single Nintendo Switch and EDF's usual performance issues end up harming World Brothers for those players less familiar with the series, as well as its high price for what's here. Regulars and veterans will certainly enjoy what's here, though.

Without the intricacies of detailed simulations, there's plenty of fun to be found here, especially in local multiplayer sessions. The lack of online multiplayer, though, is difficult to understand, and the short number of teams and game modes, and an AI that doesn't always work like we'd expect can make for a rather limited and less consistent game. In any case, players looking for simple, quick football action have something cost-efficient to find with Super Soccer Blast: America vs Europe.

Spitlings presents itself as a chaotic arcade game, even though it starts off on a rather slow pace that may put off less patient players. Nonetheless, those who dedicate some time to immerse themselves with the simple mechanics involved will be duly rewarded with a fun and varied multiplayer experience that doesn’t leave out a bit of a tactical dimension. Spitlings is less stellar on a single player basis, though, and it can become rather repetitive on a short-term basis.

While not a gigantic or epic effort, Worm Jazz does its job right and provides some good fun, even though there's not actually a lot of jazz here and the experience could be longer. Still, for those looking for some simple, puzzling action, Worm Jazz does the trick and is worthy of attention from Nintendo Switch owners.

Thanks to its audiovisual environment and to a good mix of puzzle and point & click elements, this is a work that won't look out of place in the collection of any horror fans, even though it doesn't have much to offer once it's finished.

Its gameplay mechanics are enjoyable, although a bit too unwelcoming for beginners, and its audiovisual world is good enough to be immersive. The problem is this third chapter in a series of action RPGs does little to stand out amid its peers and what was remarkable in previous years ends up feeling repetitive by now, with little new elements to add. Fans of the series who want a modern Torchlight might be pleased with what they find here but players looking for something fresh and able to stand against other modern action RPGs will end up disappointed.

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.

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is the latest addition to the Ys series and at its core, this is a fine game that brings with it a marvelous combat system and good exploration mechanics. Unfortunately its poor performance on the Nintendo Switch, whether on a television screen or on the console's screen, makes the experience very frustrating, to say the least, and when situations with more than two enemies on the screen become extremely difficult to handle due to a loss of fluidity, it makes it a hard game to recommend.

Despite its best intentions, however, there are issues and flaws when it comes to execution that stand in the way of Calico becoming a much more enjoyable game. While Calico has plenty of good ideas, it would do wonders for the gameplay experience if the aforementioned flaws were corrected in future updates, as this would allow the game to live up to its true potential.

Egglia Rebirth brings us an RPG where the gameplay mechanics involve exploration and construction, topped off by a humorous and welcoming environment and plot. Simple and accessible, Egglia Rebirth is best enjoyed in shorter game sessions, given its origin as a game developed for mobile devices which leads to a feeling of repetitiveness if played like most of its console counterparts. Nonetheless, those looking for a fun, comical and accessible experience will find a great time with Egglia Rebirth.

Its lovely art style, despite the lack of animations, is also a very welcome element, helping to create a Victorian-era atmosphere that fits perfectly with the game. Lamplight City's puzzles could have benefited from different difficulty levels though, as they feel too simplistic, which might put off more seasoned players of point and click adventures.

Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX converts an old classic into a new era and goes beyond the original formula, bringing new levels and game modes. The result is a fun game, with a great performance, and a good chance of appealing to both newcomers and veterans alike. While some of the game's original flaws remain unaddressed and the classic mode might not please everyone equally, this modern take on the original Alex Kidd game is a welcome addition to the Nintendo Switch catalogue.

The main funcionalities of the Nintendo Switch 2 are presented under the form of minigames and challenges, and thanks to their clean presentation, simple instructions and hands-on experience, Welcome Tour ticks all the right boxes when it comes to familiarizing the players with Nintendo's new system. As such, Welcome Tour would work much better as a free experience included in every console. If we add its short length, a short-term appeal and the lack of a narrative experience with a sense of progression, there's no obvious reason why Welcome Tour should not be free, it would be a very welcome offer with every Switch 2 console.

There are many engaging moments in this game and visually it treasures us with a marvelous looking world. Rustler does need improvement with regards to its performance, though, as too often it's possible to find ourselves getting stuck in the scenario and slowdowns happen frequently, especially in more demanding moments. Other than that, this is a good parody that earned its place in the Nintendo Switch catalogue.

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.

There is some enjoyment to find in the game's rhythm-based puzzles and in the comic-like sequences, but the game can get too repetitive and some of its missions feel forced and unnecessary. Overall, Giraffe and Annika needed some more time and attention dedicated to its best ideas to be a more engaging work.

It's not every day that a cult series of nearly 40 years has a brand new entry in a contemporary gaming system. It does a fine job at portraying elements of the series, and with two history modes it allows for players to either follow the main character or create their own, which is the most rewarding choice. Nonetheless, Rise of New Champions has some aspects that need additional work. Most of the football experience is fun and addictive, but the game's camera often feels off, the loading times are long and the game's overall technical performance on the Nintendo Switch falls short of what is expected. Fans of the series will love this entry, while others might feel put off by its flaws.

Never Alone: Arctic Collection consists of the original Never Alone that was released on the Wii U in 2015, as well as an additional set of downloadable content. While some of the gameplay in this puzzle-platformer feels rather imprecise and the mechanics are a bit dated, there is a redeeming dimension in this Arctic Collection (already observed in the original) in the way it portrays and inform the player about the Iñupiat people of Alaska and translates the barren Arctic landscapes into the game.

Like the historical event that it's based on, Warsaw does not forgive - its difficulty is relentless and will not give players a moment to breathe. If this makes for an extremely challenging experience, it also acts as an obstacle for beginners who will feel put off. The game's combat system is compelling once the player masters it, and the soundtrack contributes significantly to this experience, but the game maps, where a lot of the action takes place, could be more elaborate to help the players find theeir way around.

Chronos: Before the Ashes is a mostly successful attempt at making a more accessible roguelike that does not compromise its challenge too much. Its experience mechanic is a very welcome idea and something that has a lot of potential to be improved in future releases, but technical issues affecting its visual performance make this more difficult to enjoy on the Switch screen, and as such there's many players who might feel behind on what the game has to offer.

Fatal Fury: First Contact brings back an SNK fighting game to the Nintendo Switch and what's on offer is pretty much consistent with the original work. This is not an ambitious endeavour, and the dearth of game modes make the experience rather limited. Still, the characters available and their moves are fun to explore. On the other hand, it would be nice to have some extras, and there are performance issues that should have been corrected.

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.

Boomerang Fu is a simple party game that won't bring much to solo players beyond its simple and intuitive gameplay. Local multiplayer is a completely different matter, though, as its absolutely chaotic sessions add a whole new layer of enjoyment for up to six players, which makes the lack of an online multiplayer component hard to understand. Those who can summon up to five other players and are looking for quick but intense experiences will find something worthy in Boomerang Fu.

Labyrinth City: Pierre the Maze Detective is an adaptation of the children's book series and it does a marvelous job at transposing the literary world into an interactive format, thanks to its unique visual environment and many fun moments. Where Pierre the Maze Detective falls short of expectations is when its level of challenge comes into place, as this is clearly an effort aimed at less experienced players which won't thrill those more versed in similar games.