With a beautiful pixel-art presentation, Shovel Knight Dig reinterprets the moveset of the blue knight with a bigger focus on vertical traversal, as well as an entirely new rogue-like structure that is as enjoyable as it is challenging.

Final Fantasy X | X-2 is both beautiful and bonkers, a beloved turning point for one of the greatest JRPG series in video games. Even with its notable shortcomings, it’s hard not to get swept up by its powerful emotions, while there’s plenty for the most ardent JRPG completionists to spend over 100 hours in Spira.

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is a mashup that shouldn't work, but does. Taking Nintendo's beloved mascot and combining him with their own, love them or hate them Rabbids - Ubisoft has made a Mario game that feels every bit a Nintendo first party title. Aside from some odd difficulty spikes and a lack of replayability, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is a fantastic turn-based strategy title that both newcomers and fans of the genre should definitely experience.

Lonely Mountains: Downhill has so much going for it that you can’t help but love it. Vibrant, varied, and victorious. It’s an outstanding example of indie development and a delight from start to finish – performance issues aside.

If you’re a fan of Megami Tensei or just a RPG fan in general, you can’t and won’t go wrong with Shin Megami Tensei V. It offers players so much without the ‘heavy’ feeling that usually comes with many RPGs.

The Specter of Torment expansion really added to the game series with a better story and more fluid gameplay. Its not particularly long, but the fun, challenging, old-school platforming makes this a game worth playing. I would recommend buying the Treasure Trove edition with the original game and the two expansions and playing them in the order of release. It's a great package and Specter of Torment is the strongest of the set.

The spark that made the original Valkyria Chronicles shine bright on other platforms still shines bright on Switch, in a game that is beautiful, rewarding, and timeless in its take on turn-based strategy.

Boasting a unique premise that stands out from anything else in the genre, Toodee and Topdee is a challenging delight to play. Brimming with charm and with clear potential to build on its slight shortcomings, Toodee and Topdee are a duo I’d happily see again.

80 Days almost makes you feel as if you’re fighting the clock as you come across a whole manner of complications while attempting to circumnavigate the globe. It’s a perfect fit for the Switch, whether you’re playing docked or handheld.

Gimmicks and references can only carry a game so far, and in What the Golf?, what’s lying beneath these is lacking the substance of a truly worthwhile experience. With its higher stakes and unpredictability, though, the multiplayer mode shows more promise.

It’s a puzzle platformer with the core mechanic being that you can’t jump. Through it’s unashamed cute demeanour there is a deep, challenging game that is sometimes frustrating yet overall satisfying and hugely enjoyable.

Bayonetta is a stellar action-adventure game oozing with style and substance from start to finish. Newcomers may be put off by the portrayal of its title character, and the visuals are definitely starting to show their age, but the gameplay remains consistently brilliant throughout. A must-buy.

Rayman Legends will always be a great game. With exceptional platforming and level design, more levels than you thought possible and stunning art and music the game is up there with the very best. Unfortunately technical issues mean this is far from the definitive experience that Ubisoft want it to be.

The four games contained in Mega Man X Legacy Collection are arguably some of the strongest in existence. Whilst there's little to differentiate the first three titles, you owe it to yourself to experience them at least once.

Lil Gator Game is a shining example of a game with a brilliant premise realised to its fullest extent. Full of heart, humour, and heaps of fun, this quality release simply cannot be missed.

Like a fine wine, Skyrim is a game that has improved with age. I had mixed feelings about the Nintendo Switch version prior to playing, knowing what issues I faced in the PS3 version and wondering how it would perform on the Nintendo Switch. However, I had nothing to worry about - the game is fantastic on the Nintendo Switch and is a fantastic way to experience Bethesda's open-world wonder. If you haven't played this before, you are in for a treat. If you have, you're in for a pleasant surprise and returning to this world is a welcome trip down memory lane.

Wargroove is a majestic contender, if not outright successor, to Advance Wars, that every turn-based strategy fan should play. Beyond it’s handsome campaign and likable characters, there’s a ton of customisation and content to dig into or create, which makes it a bargain too.

Whether you want fun as a group or something to occupy your alone time, Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime can check both boxes. Charming visuals and addictive gameplay are always a potent combination, but the game just slightly lacks that wow factor needed to be deserving of an even higher score.

BioShock: The Collection can be seen as the definitive package of one of the most unique, fantastic, and awe-inspiring franchises ever made. From the classic first BioShock to the action-driven BioShock Infinite, there’s a lot to enjoy within this superb port.

As a mid-chapter of a long-branching narrative, The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III doesn’t really slow down for new players. If you’re patient with the game’s unique passing, tough, you may find an engaging combat system and tons of content to enjoy.

Infernax is everything I want from a retro-inspired 8-bit platformer. It looks fantastic, offers challenging gameplay, glorious bosses, and banging tunes. If that’s your bag, don’t waste any time diving in here. It’s a beauty.

By expanding on an admittedly short base game, the Snipperclips Plus DLC does away with one of the game's only faults and makes this an absolutely essential purchase for the Switch. Get some family and friends round and you'll be roaring with laughter for hours!

Whilst the whimsical nature of Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout can act as a double-edged sword, feeling both magical and fleeting mere moments apart, Ryza’s infectious personality is a joy to behold. In-depth combat and item synthesis are cleverly utilised throughout and, despite characters and narrative producing varying results, the overall quality is up there with the very best.

Danmaku Unlimited 3 is a very strong entry into the ever-growing shmup genre on Nintendo Switch. It takes nerves to conquer the endless bullets on display, but casual gamers are also well catered for with a generous selection of difficulty options.

Baba Is You is a simple, yet ingenious indie puzzle game that is unlike anything you’ve seen before. The charming and minimalist presentation combines with immense creative difficulty to make something that will blow your mind, if it hasn’t melted it in confusion first.

Balancing several different gameplay elements deftly while providing a lighthearted yet emotional take on death, Spiritfarer is a long and satisfying adventure that kept me more engrossed than any other game this year. It’s truly a special title that deserves all the attention it gets.

Lunar Ray Games have carefully constructed a game that doesn’t demand your attention, but rather invites you to take a closer look and rewards you with refined gameplay, a thought-provoking story and countless secrets to uncover.

Ape Out is the embodiment of video game perfection. A clear artistic direction perfectly marries and compliments a simple, yet challenging, gameplay hook that keeps you coming back time after time. Additional challenging modes provide further replayability, and any excuse to keep playing is a good one in my books.

I wasn’t expecting much from Outrun, and initially I wasn’t impressed. Thankfully I persevered and found a surprisingly charming little racer that occupied me for many days. If you are looking for a simple, cheap and cheerful racer you could do far worse.

While the puzzles are uninspired, To the Moon isn’t your typical videogame. It takes the format and visuals of an old-school JRPG and melds them in a unique way, delivering a narrative that is beautiful, impactful, and not easily forgotten.

One of the best 2D platformers of the last decade, Super Meat Boy lands on the Nintendo Switch and delivers, arguably, the best version of Team Meat's game yet. The Race Mode is a fantastic addition provides a riotous multiplayer experience to what was already a superb package. If you're a fan of challenging platformers and have never played Super Meat Boy before, this is essential. If you've already played it, it's still as awesome as ever - with the added bonus of Race Mode.

World of Goo is a game with an excellent concept, held back from greatness by its limited scope and inaccurate control schemes. More levels, a proper ultimate goal, or even a good control scheme could've boosted this game out of middle-of-the-road territory - but as it stands, that's right where it sits.

Ni No Kuni is a visually stunning classic, whose story of heartbreak will touch even the toughest of souls. Wonderfully-written characters, along with top-notch gameplay, help to bring this game to life, even if it eventually gets a little long in the tooth.

VA-11 HALL-A might not quite fulfil your bartending dreams in terms of concocting your own drinks, but if the social side of being a bartender without leaving the house is more your thing, then this is the game for you.

They said it wasn't possible on Switch, but now it's here, Nintendo fans won't be able to escape the phenomenon for any longer. It nails the get a little better each time feel, and that's what makes it so addictive. Add in the Save the World mode and it's an equal match for the other systems.

While it won’t scratch the itch for anyone looking for a competitive puzzler, there isn’t a music-based puzzler quite like Lumines Remastered so beautifully executed, and at an affordable price. The Trance Vibration gimmick you can take it or leave it, but you’ll still be able to bliss out regardless.

Castlevania Advance Collection is exactly the jolt of excitement Konami’s classic series of gothic action-platformers needs to succeed. All games featured look and play great, with newly installed quality-of-life features making them more accessible.

A brutally singular and unexpectedly brilliant subversion of what you know about Tetris and battle royale, if you’re a Switch Online subscriber, you absolutely need to download it.

Tales of Vesperia still holds up as a game that is absolutely charming and enjoyable to play, with a multi-faceted cast of characters and a story of intrigue. It’s a JRPG that deserves your attention, even despite its tangible flaws.

Alien: Isolation is a worthy edition to any Switch owner’s library. It is an excellent reminder of just how good a port can be and, predictable storyline and poorly paced checkpoints aside, it is an outstanding stealth-horror title.

Mega Man Legacy Collection is a seriously comprehensive celebration of the classic NES series, with a total of six games and a healthy sprinkling of brand new challenges. The dip in quality in the latter titles hold it back from a perfect score, but this is otherwise an essential purchase!

Prison Architect is a deep and complex micro-management sim that pays off for putting in the hours. It may be an expensive eShop only title, but it's great fun - do check it out.

Nobody Saves the World is a quirky and engaging little action RPG. With smooth controls, awesome art and sound, plenty of customization options, and fantastic multiplayer; you should definitely consider adding this one to your Switch library.

Part roguelike, part card battler, and part turn-based RPG, Loop Hero is an addictive medieval descent where your lack of control actually adds to the sense of adventure. It takes a while to hit its stride but is worth it in the end.

Splatoon 3 has something to offer everybody, regardless of what type of games you usually play. It excludes no one and keeps on giving long after the credits have rolled on its chaotic shooter action.

Fitness games are often judged on whether they make you forget you are exercising, but if you forget, you’re probably doing it wrong. What Ring Fit Adventure succeeds in, is making that exercise consistently enjoyable yet still effective.

If you had to describe Splatoon 2 in a single word, it would simply be "fun". Pure, unadulterated fun that will last you a significant amount of time. With competent single player mode, addictive multiplayer modes and the promise of regular content it's another top quality - and essential - Switch release. Just make the Salmon Run more frequent, Nintendo.

Overall, Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon is one of the best puzzle and rogue-lites I’ve had the pleasure of playing. Though it’s not without a few faults, this is a must-play for any Shovel Knight fan.

DOOM remains an iconic game that fans of shooters – actually, scratch that, fans of gaming – need to play to this day. This version has a few drawbacks that will no doubt sour the experience for some people, but this is by far the most authentic version of the game on a Nintendo platform so far.

Shovel Knight: King of Cards is a fitting conclusion to an almost perfect saga. Fans of the series will enjoy the new features, especially the implementation of the card game, Joustus, and newcomers will easily fall in love with this much-loved series.

Knights and Bikes is a homage to all things homemade, British, and school holiday-related. The relationship between its two central characters makes for an endearing story, one with plenty of heart and historical depth.

An addictive action-sports hybrid with plenty of customisation options, rotating gameplay modes and an exciting roadmap ahead, Knockout City earns its spot as a multiplayer mainstay in valuable Switch SD card real estate for the foreseeable future.

Neon Splash is a masterfully crafted sequel that takes the very best elements of the original highly stylized 3D platformer that Demon Turf is. By ditching the problematic combat, it offers a pure platforming experience that, while brief, is stellar.

Octopath Traveler is a grower, and one which takes a good while to reach full swing. The reward for the perseverance is a beautiful world and enough story to shake a stick at, but not a wonderfully satisfying conclusion.

Triangle Strategy is one of the most polished strategy RPGs out there. Although it doesn’t reinvent the genre, it refines its mechanics to a point of near perfection, wrapping them within a riveting story that just takes a little while to get going.

With simple controls but difficult to master, OlliOlli: Switch Stance is a terrific bundle giving you the best modern skating games around. Even if you manage to ace all of its challenges, competing against players on daily leaderboards will be sure to keep you hooked.

With its unique premise of being a brave shopkeeper, Moonlighter creates an entertaining loop divided between two genres. Despite some minor bugs, it is still one of the best indies available on Switch this year.

Gris is a beautiful puzzle-platformer about making it through the ordeals of hardship, and it’ll likely stay with you long after the credits have rolled.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is the true successor to the original. Monolith has once again demonstrated how refining and innovating RPG elements in a world crafted with quality can continue to push the genre. Like previous entries, a potentially steep learning curve may put off some onlookers, but even the tutorials are welcoming and improved. Not to mention it has one of the greatest soundtracks out there. I would highly recommend this game to anyone regardless of whether they own a Switch or not.

Advance Wars finally gets a deserved appearance on Switch! This package is ideal for both newcomers to turn-based strategy and experienced players. There are endless hours of brain-stimulating entertainment here, with army units as perfectly pitched as chess pieces.

Dark Souls: Remastered is the improved version of one of the most influential and unforgettable games ever made. It delivers a mysterious and expansive world to be explored, which will reward with many wonders those who brave enough to face its dangers.

Collection of Mana includes three must-play games for any JRPG fan. They have beautiful art design, incredible soundtracks, and Trials of Mana may arguably be the best game the SNES ever had. Unfortunately it’s a bit light on additional content beyond the games themselves.

Overcooked 2 Surf 'n' Turf continues the cooking fun with a brilliant DLC that is definitely worth checking out. Just make sure to bring some friends.

Cue the sirens and smooth jazz and prepare for a wild ride: from car chases to burning boats, femme fatales to hard-boiled detectives, Chicken Police – Paint It RED! is the game you didn’t know you needed, but you definitely do.

With bold decisions and a focus on freedom of movement, Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a much-needed new direction in a mostly stagnant series. It’s a fresh new type of Pokémon adventure where the seamless gameplay loop totally makes up for some technical drawbacks.

By allowing you to play with paintings, Gorogoa takes form as one of the most impressive and smart puzzlers. By mixing up the ethereal and tangible, it plays around with your perspective in the form of a handcrafted kaleidoscope. Despite its short duration, it’s a touching experience, one of the gems of 2017.

SEGA AGES Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is the best, most complete version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 to this very date. However, it does not necessarily need to exist, with copious amounts of ports having already been released prior.

Killer Queen Black is a near-perfect collation of individual elements that, when combined, make for an engaging, intense multiplayer experience.

Splasher is a platformer that wears its influences on its sleeve from a story taken straight from Oddworld and gameplay that can almost match Rayman. The game offers a nicely refined platforming experience that really nails the fast and fluid style, the game is a great showcase of how these games should play and the only praise this game needs is that I would like to see a sequel that expands on these ideas.

DYNASTY WARRIORS 8: Xtreme Legends Definitive Edition is probably the most content-rich, sit-down and zone-out kind of game that has ever existed. With a multitude of modes at your disposal, and with friends in tow, you can’t go wrong with this.

Flipping Death is a truly unique experience. Boasting beautiful art design, stellar voice work and gameplay like no other, it's a game that will have you in fits of laughter. If only it lasted just a bit longer.

Worms W.M.D. isn't the most original entry in the series. Rather, it's a modernised version of the earlier games. It may not be the best single player game either, but couple it with the portability and various multiplayer options of the Switch, Worms brings a fun and frantic game that is always best shared.

Islets marries classic Metroidvania elements with innovative tweaks and a gorgeous illustrative style. It may be on the easier end of the scale, but there’s enough depth and variety to keep everyone occupied, from beginners to completionists.

Its charming story and characters keep you smiling as the game continues to challenge you while its hidden areas and collectibles will keep you coming back for more. Whether you’re a fan of pinball machines, metroidvania or puzzle games, Yoku’s Island Express delivers class in every area for every type of player.

For series fans, it’s a no-brainer; this is the best version of No More Heroes to date. As a newcomer, despite a lacklustre open world and some incredibly dull grinding, NMH still held my attention with brilliant writing and memorable characters.

Atelier Ryza 3 works as a fitting end to this particular trilogy, even if its various gameplay mechanics cause more frustration than enjoyment. Persevere and you’ll find plenty to enjoy here, but this really is a game you need to be fully invested in.

This isn’t authentic pinball, but it isn’t trying to be. Pinball FX3 embraces that it is video game pinball and is more enjoyable as a result. And isn’t pinball about getting high scores and having a good time anyway?

Overall, Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus and Butterfly is a great game to lose yourself in for a few hours, but ultimately one that ends up feeling more like an extension of the first game in the series rather than a sequel.

Horizon Chase Turbo is an unexpected surprise. A quality arcade racer that builds upon the groundwork of the classic 80s racers and brings it up to date with dazzling visuals and engaging racing action.

CrossCode is a near-perfect attempt at recapturing the charm and magic of action RPGs from the 16-bit era. Fortunately, this experience is only slightly marred by the occasional technical hiccup.

Improving everything good about the original while cutting the bad, No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle spends a lot more time being a fun action game and gives you plenty of new ways to tear enemies apart for good measure.

A substantial addition that expands on the best gameplay elements of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. It’s a blast getting to just design for fun, and the addition of new customisation tools and brand new items open up the game even further.

Hotline Miami Collection is certainly moreish, but suffers from irritating controls and a level of difficulty which crosses the border into the unfair. It’s for the sadists, that’s for sure.

Not expecting to like Valkyria Chronicles 4, I came away loving it. The turned-based tactical gameplay is constantly engaging, and the water colour visuals look a real treat.

It’s another cheap and entertaining effort in the AGES series, and a decent racer to boot. Whether you are looking for a nostalgic jaunt to the 1990s or a quirky little racer, you can’t really go wrong with Virtua Racer.

Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2 is a sequel in the complete sense. It offers a familiar nostalgic-driven experience, but now with new playable characters and more challenging levels. It is more of the same, for the good and the bad.

In gameplay terms alone, Super Mario 3D All Stars is a predictable triumph, one which will delight new players and experienced fans alike. The only minor drawbacks are the package’s lack of extras or updates and its limited release.

When the fighting is as fun as this, it is difficult not to recommend Under Night wholeheartedly. The MIA multiplayer and lack of localisation is a concern and does taint what is otherwise a fantastic 2D fighter.

Salt and Sanctuary not only manages to encapsulate the games in which it took liberal inspiration from, but then confidently build upon them, ensuring a complete, unique package that demands your attention at all times.

Vectronom is an adrenalin-pumping, mind-bending experience which provides a fun challenge for the duration of its relatively brief length. Thanks to that brevity and the slap-you-in-the-face presentation, Vectronom is a fantastic palate cleanser to enjoy between meatier offerings.

Slime-san is certainly worth a purchase, both for its charm and its addictiveness. It’s impressive how much personality Fabraz managed to convey with just a few pixels, and it’s here in droves. That said, with your mind on the clock there may not be as much time as story-fans would like to take it all in, but thankfully the gameplay makes it worth playing either way.

Little Nightmares 2 is one of those games that should only be played at night in the dark. Amazing art design, spine-chilling music, and smooth gameplay. If you like horror, don’t hesitate to pick this one up as soon as you can.

Horace is a 7-year labour of love from a two-man development team, and the amount of quality content here is incredible. Packed to the rafters with nostalgia, it provides laughs, tears, and a brilliant platforming experience that everyone can enjoy.

DMC3 is fast-paced, fun, and familiar. It offers up hours of hack and slash goodness which is true to the original release – for better or worse – whilst also including exclusive improvements to bring it into the modern day.

Despite the hype, Borderlands Legendary Collection never once delivered the thrills and spills I expect of a shooter. Irritations in the controls, the general gameplay, and the plodding storyline reduced my enjoyment to a minimum.

Crawl is a fantastic experience whether you're playing on your own or with a group of friends. Boasting a wonderfully unique gameplay hook, I'd wager you'll be roaming this dungeon for weeks.

Ultra-stylised visuals and creatively crafted combat are the reasons to dive into the world of Shibuya. The quirky cast, muddled music and lengthy visual novel-esque text sequences? Not so much. I liked it, but I didn’t love it.

Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion serves up something that is satisfying, challenging and entertaining in equal measure. It won’t redefine the core game, and you’ll probably finish it in a week, but it’s joyous exuberance more than makes up for it. A must for any Splatoon fan.