The Caligula Effect 2 improves on several aspects of the original, namely the combat system, and brings an exquisite story with many captivating elements, very well written characters, as well as a stunning soundtrack. At the same time, its level design could use improvements, and even though the soundtrack is indeed one of the game's top assets, some of its tracks are repeated to the point of exhaustion, which only leads to saturation. Overall this is an enjoyable experience which could have turned out better if some of those elements had been addressed.

Fans of the original and who would like to play it on the go will be all over this remake, a work that not only successfully captures the spirit of the original but also delivers an updated visual world. Those less keen on the Oddworld series and who don't enjoy puzzle challenges as much will mostly notice the game's somewhat clunky and imprecise control inputs.

Drawing inspiration from several Japanese animation series that feature the aforementioned mechas, this is a 2D action game that is jam-packed with frantic action exploding all over the place. Occasionally a less-than-ideal performance when it comes to its frame rate can be an obstacle and the game's steep difficulty level won't welcome beginners with open arms but a healthy lifespan, absurdist plot moments and never-ending action, as well as a friendly price, make Hardcore Mecha a gem for those who like games with giant robotic vehicles.

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.

The game allows for the players' gradual immersion into its mechanics and fundamentals, in a way that even those of little experience with such games will feel welcome, and the use of the Nintendo Switch 2 mouse control does wonders for the interactivity. Citadelum would have benefited from a greater development of its diplomatic and military components, and in the medium term it can feel somewhat repetitive due to the lack of a strong plot, but the game does a very good job with its core mechanics and fits neatly in the Switch 2 catalogue.

The Perfect Pencil is a metroidvania wrapped in a rather unusual outfit. If the game's mechanics are fairly standard insofar as we will do what most games of the kind expect from us, the plot and theme set it apart. By integrating the experience within a world that deals with issues of mental and emotional health and where every interaction and development derives from that theme, The Perfect Pencil manages to create a captivating space of its own, even if at some moments the game has a tendency to become rather repetitive.

Pure Pool may not be brand new but this Nintendo Switch conversion shows that this pool simulator is weathering the years very well. Not only does the audiovisual component stand the test of time, its gameplay mechanics and variety of game modes, including multiplayer, fit like a glove on the expectations of pool fans. Pure Pool is without a doubt the finest pool game available on the Nintendo Switch and its welcoming price make it a very accessible work too.

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.

This first-person puzzler makes the player manipulate the perspective and use optical illusions in order to solve its challenges and while it's a difficult concept to express, the game is surprisingly satisfying to watch. On the other hand, something seems to have been lost in the way and Superliminal is less fun than it wanted to be, not to mention somewhat repetitive, giving the impression that the player is doing the same puzzle over and over again. Superliminal has its qualities but it's also a difficult game to recommend.

Yooka-Replaylee may have come as a surprise but it's a very welcome surprise nonetheless, as this remaster of the original not only expectedly improves on several audiovisual elements, completely redesigning some of them, but also makes the experience more fluid and dynamic by starting the adventure with the entire moveset unlocked, with each level fully expanded, and fast travel. While on the technical side the game could have made more of the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware, Yooka-Replaylee is a marvelous 3D platformer that will be duly enjoyed by both fans of the genre and fans of the original game.

MOUSE: P.I. For Hire has a striking personality that grabs the player right from the beginning thanks to its art style, looks and quality writing when it comes to creating a noir world, and performs equally strongly when it comes to the game's FPS action. Even if its detective component falls below the rest of the experience, this is a very solid and captivating game that fits perfectly on the Nintendo Switch 2 catalogue, further aided by its mouse controls.

Do Not Feed the Monkeys may seem like a strange title but it pretty much describes what this games is about. This point and click adventure with a management component has a very unexpected plot that's not short of hilarious moments. Thanks to an intuitive gameplay (as well as to the use of the Nintendo Switch screen) and to a good variety of choices and endings, Do Not Feed the Monkeys is a good way to spend some short gaming sessions.

Enormous maps, a gorgeous visual world, marvelous soundtrack, amazing combat and a jobs system that feels just right to go with this experience all contribute to make a turn-based RPG that features the right elements to stand out within the Switch catalogue.

Mario Tennis Fever keeps up the tradition of the series by bringing a fun and funny tennis game based on the Mario universe to Nintendo's latest console. Most of it will be very familiar and the game does not take a lot of risks or treads extraordinary new paths, but it does a very competent job at keeping the experience enjoyable, especially on multiplayer. Mario Tennis Fever is a very welcome addition to the Nintendo Switch 2 catalogue, where it's bound to keep players serving and smashing like its predecessors did in decades past.

The Long Dark is a survival game that does a very good job at conveying an experience mired in solitude and bitter loneliness, all while keeping a pleasant-looking art style. Even though the visual quality was a bit compromised when the game was ported over to the Nintendo Switch, fans of survival games will find many resources to work with, a healthy variety of game modes, and a plot that's truly immersing.

PAKO Caravan picks up the successful formula behind a timeless mobile classic and presents it in a fun, modern package that will appeal to everyone who enjoys simple, quick experiences. With a great variety of levels and a lovely art style that fits its purpose entirely, Pako Caravan is one of the best new clothing that an old formula could ask for.

Save me Mr. Tako: Definitive Edition is a marvelous tribute to handheld games from eras past, and it works at all levels. With a depth that's surprising for a seemingly simple game, this action platformer joins Metroidvania elements to the mix along with a very balanced difficulty level and the result is a fitting tribute to the 8-bit handheld era.

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.

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.

The WarioWare series finally lands on the Nintendo Switch and not a moment too soon. Get It Together! brings us a collection of 200 new microgames that feature everything that made the other WarioWare games memorable, this time with an additional story mode as well as a series of weekly online challenges that will reward the players. Zany, fun and long-lasting, WarioWare: Get It Together! is an absolute blast, whether on solo or with friends.

Even though its adaptation to the Nintendo Switch could have used a better control system - seeing as Nintendo's platform does not have a mouse - Hero U is nothing short of a little gem in the Switch catalogue, thanks to its humour, writing and overall atmosphere. Fans of adventure RPGs have plenty to look forward to here.

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.

With a near-perfect emulation of the original classics and the possibility to change nearly every parameter possible, this is just what the 2D shoot'em-up enthusiast needs. It's true that adding collectible extras would be welcome and the compilation would be even better if it included G-Darius, but being focused on the 2D legacy of the series, Darius Cozmic Collection Arcade is more than worthy of featuring on every shoot'em-up fan with a Nintendo Switch.

Trigger Witch is a fun blend between an adventure game and a twin-stick shooter and a fun one at that too, with plenty of action and some puzzles along the way to keep players busy. While not a groundbreaking title, and its audio component could really use some improvement, its bold concept, engaging combat and colourful environment make Trigger Witch a good option for fans of both genres portrayed here.

Smelter joins elements of action platformers and real time strategy games in an effort that produces a marvelous tribute to the 16-bit era. With a fun and captivating exploration and great combat mechanics, Smelter has all the ingredients to stand out in the Nintendo Switch catalogue and make a name for itself for all the good reasons.

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.

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.

Sam & Max Save the World Remastered is a perfect fit on the Nintendo Switch. The investment made in improving the game's audiovisual environment is worth of praise and brings this game up to today's tastes, making it something to be embraced by both veterans and new players alike. With its devilishly funny dialogues and a gameplay that can be easily handled in this new format that presents the game in one go, rather than the original's episodic delivery, Sam & Max Save the World Remastered is a marvel for everyone.