Hyperbrawl Tournament is a game that has a solid concept but doesn’t quite stick the landing. With a game that would have benefitted from greater depth in the gameplay loop, it’s still a title that will result in isolated enjoyment.

A few smart upgrades and gorgeous visuals give Oddworld: New ‘N’ Tasty a fantastic modern-day shine, and the smart puzzle platforming gameplay and dark sense of humour remain intact. While this port isn’t quite new anymore, it’s definitely still tasty.

Beautiful artwork, a rich variety of missions, and lots of fun in single-player or with friends – Hardcore Mecha is a package well worth strapping into. There are some technical hitches, but these are heavyweight goods. Get stomping!

Oceanhorn 2 looks to offer a suitable alternative whilst we await BOTW2. Though there are rumblings of an excellent and engaging open-world adventure, Cornfox & Bros. haven’t quite left their mark with this game in ways they should have.

If you’ve played everything that Cadence of Hyrule has to offer and want more of that same experience, the Season Pass is a great option for mixing things up. Otherwise, only one of these packs needs to be on your list.

Terror Squid has all the pros of a classic arcade game. Mechanically simple but surprisingly difficult gameplay, with a beautiful pick-up-and-play methodology baked in. Unfortunately however, it is a shallow experience if you are not interested in chasing high scores.

Hunting Simulator 2 starts off at a leisurely pace and continues in the same vein throughout. The areas are vast but the graphics are basic and for £45 you could have yourself a much more fun day out!

This robotic Metroidvania-by-numbers is sloppily assembled, lazily designed, and controls like the rust’s setting in. Dedicated speedrunners may find a modicum of challenge here, but I found Two Parsecs From Earth a frustrating experience from start to finish.

If Found… is a moving, heartfelt tale about identity and relationships at the end of the world. The unique mechanics marry perfectly to the themes explored, and the short two-hour runtime makes it an excellent choice for a cosy evening in.

Worm Jazz doesn’t aim for the top of the food chain, but it’s well-designed for its primary task, and it layers some interesting notes together, with an occasional groovy flourish to tickle your grey matter.

GONNER 2 is a fast paced and brutal roguelike with plenty of madness thrown in for good measure. Local co-op will have you coming back for more but little niggles and an over the top difficulty mean this game falls just short of greatness.

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.

With plenty of humour and weapon variety, Going Under is a charming, vibrant dungeon crawler/roguelike that never gets old. If your current working environment feels strange, try this weird and wonderful one out for size.

Game Dev Tycoon displays masterful execution of balancing addictiveness and enjoyability, despite the niggling feeling that they merely copied and/or built-upon Kairosoft’s Game Dev Story.

Despite its flaws, I did enjoy my time with WarriOrb. It’s not the best platformer on the market, not by a long shot, but if you’re looking for something fresh and new to play then I suggest giving this one a try.

Beautiful, challenging and engaging, Pikmin 3 Deluxe is a fantastic strategic experience and is accessible to players of all skill levels. It’s the best version of the best Pikmin title.

The Survivalists is a classic endurance adventure with tried and tested elements, accompanied by a defining mechanic that, sadly, could be better implemented. But it’s still great fun and fans of management sandbox games are well catered for.

Anyone who beams up to Space Crew will find it to be a fairly average strategy experience, with an enjoyable challenge and sharp looks to match – but only if they can put up with clunky controls.

Who would have thought that a round of golf could be so much fun? Ratalaika has produced a true hole in one with Golf Zero, a gem that will have you playing for hours on end.

While these punishing levels will take some patience to master, the charm and presentation help to keep you coming back. It’s a few more levels and some accessibility options short of being essential, but for platforming fans looking for a challenge this is a great purchase for the price.

Alwa’s Legacy is a sequel done right. It improves on its formula in every conceivable way. There are a couple of frustrations in terms of combat and guidance, but overall this is a stellar Metroidvania from a dedicated and passionate developer.

There’s the essence of a fun party game in Drink More Glurp, one that’s unfortunately let down by its own level of sheer randomness and unpredictability. It can be hilarious in a group, but competing in events is rarely fulfilling.

Even The Ocean fuses platform, puzzle and adventure elements with an intriguing story framed in a visual novel. The more of these genres you enjoy, the more fulfilment you will gain from this thought-provoking tale.

Warsaw provides a unique – and honestly bleak – perspective of a dark time in our collective history. Difficult enough to prove a worthy challenge, with an over-complexity that might have benefitted from a little self-restraint.

Neighbours back From Hell simulates well the mindless torturing of other members of your community. Please, remember that it is a game based on humour and not an instruction manual, no matter how much you hate Maurice and his perfect lawn.

With a strong sense of style and smart, methodical gameplay, West Of Dead delivers a game that carefully balances brutal difficulty with a true blast of fun. While you’ll die often, you’ll always be excited to dive back in.

While a flat tyre performance and empty tank when it comes to DLC make it difficult to recommend over the already released PlayStation and Xbox versions, MX vs ATV All Out is a competent Switch port, with plenty of customisation options and gameplay variation.

Best Friend Forever is a short and simple visual novel/simulation game, but that doesn’t make it any less fun. The interactions with your furry friend don’t get boring fast, and the interactions you have with the characters are just as engaging.

Hero Hours Contract is an inclusive turn-based adventure that is moreish despite its flaws. It’s overtly political, perhaps surprisingly so for the aesthetic and genre, and this combined with its charming personality helps it to stand out from the crowd.

Although nearly identical to its predecessors, Kingdom Rush Origins stands out from the competition. This prequel proves its worth, with some smart changes, an undeniable charm, and a lasting shelf life as a go-to tower defense boredom buster.

Spellbreak is the perfect example of a great game let down by lacklustre performance on the Nintendo Switch. Unique gameplay mechanics aside, being often unable to play the game due to technical issues limits any potential enjoyment to be found.

Despite being based on a classic 2D puzzler, The Snake King fails on almost every level to find a new direction and breathe new life into this tried and tested formula. The few mechanics it does introduce aren’t enough to keep you engaged for long.

Georifters has some good puzzle ideas at its core but becomes repetitive too soon. Multiplayer offers more entertainment, but the price is too high to make this title worthy of your time. This sweet snack lacks bite.

Giraffe and Annika is fun, cute, touching and will fill the cockles of your heart with a warm gooey goodness. The perfect purchase, but mainly just for younger gamers. There’s also a physical release, including a collector’s edition with extra goodies.

Evergate is a precision puzzle platformer which looks beautiful and sounds fantastic. Although the controls take some getting used to, the intricately designed levels provide a wealth of challenge, and the power-up system offers many different ways to play.

Brigandine: Legend of Runersia is a beautiful-yet-unapproachable masterpiece of a tactical RPG. It’s certainly rough around the edges, with its difficulty and UI being particular points of contention, but well worth the venture if you’re able to stomach it.

Slick mechanics, smooth controls, and faithfulness to the source material make Mario 35 another successful battle royale hybrid from Akira. Nintendo demonstrates yet again their willingness to experiment with sacred IP, and the result is something we’ve never seen before.

Raji: An Ancient Epic is a beautiful adventure unlike anything we’ve likely seen in video games, let alone the Switch. The gameplay itself is of a strong if unspectacular standard, but it’s the design and the experience which you’re paying for here.

Witcheye is a game that feels incredibly familiar yet fresh at the same time. The reinvention of movement, the attention to detail, and the clever role reversal make this 2D retro platformer so good; it’s witchcraft.

A Hero and A Garden is a simple yet charming point and click adventure with a meaningful story to tell. It doesn’t last long and you might not come back to it ever again, but its charm warrants an hour of your time.

Rigid Force Redux is a charming addition to the side-scrolling shooter genre. The journey may be over too soon, but it’s very scenic and worth it for those weapons. Strap yourself in — you’ll have a blast!

Supergiant’s latest action gem Hades is a must-play for Switch fans looking for some fast-paced action, especially considering it’s currently a console exclusive. The seemingly endless modifiers keep the roguelike gameplay fresh and exciting each run, coming at no expense to its humorous, hellish story.

Street Power Football fails to deliver in pretty much every area. It’s let down by its poor graphics, poor gameplay and bugs, making the £39.99 price point almost laughable.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a highly polished Nintendo Switch port of a game that should already be considered as one of the best modern metroidvanias. Running at a smooth 60fps both docked and in handheld, this is a forest adventure well worth exploring.

Paradise Killer is an exploration game like no other. There is a mystery to be solved, but you can spend ages soaking in the wonderful sights and sounds of the island. This one will stay with you for some time.

Prehistoric Dude feels like it’s going through the motions. It’s too short, yet somehow manages to be repetitive, and the annoying combat and bugs will probably only encourage players to rush through the experience.

While its camera movement and character portraits make an immediate impression, Strangers of the Power 3 has little to offer its mature audience. Gameplay is simple, visuals are stripped down, and there is no incentive to give it another go.

Heroes of Hammerwatch is the definitive edition of an already fantastic game. It’s a killer rogue-lite, a great twin-stick shooter, and it comes packed with additional content for a very modest price point. There’s just no reason not to own this.

While it’s perfectly passable and could be fun for children and diehard comic fans, Sentinels Of Freedom neither streamlines nor improves the ideas of tactical RPGs. This along with fairly drab visuals and a passable story mean there’s not much here worth saving.

Hollow Knight this is not. With a flawed control system, dreadful music, and painfully unfair platforming, this is a game you will want to end as quickly as possible. Thankfully it is over in about an hour.

Struggling is a valiant attempt at a difficult physics-based game that suffers from poor execution, despite some visual polish. That’s not to say that it isn’t difficult, because it is. It’s just not that fun.

Mini Island Challenge Bundle features intense boss-rush gameplay. With four different island-levels to choose from, as well as four difficulty levels – from Normal to Hardcore – fans of the genre will get some enjoyment out of the game. The price is definitely right, and the soundtrack alone is worth it.

Connect the dots and you’ll find that One Line Coloring is an extremely simplistic puzzler. However, it’s hard to criticise a game that does exactly what it promises in a well-presented and pleasant package, that uses the Switch’s touch-screen functionality well.

Lair of the Clockwork God is a joyously nonsensical adventure filled with sharp wit and an eclectic mix of challenges. As a merging of two genres (platformer and point ‘n’ click adventure), it mostly succeeds. Are you game for a laugh?

Ary and the Secret of Seasons offers players some unique gameplay mechanics and a story that doesn’t get boring, but sadly the numerous bugs and framerate issues don’t justify the £34.99 price point.

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.

REZ PLZ works with a clever idea of deliberately sacrificing a character so the other can progress, but that idea doesn’t really get fleshed out. Elsewhere, the platforming is competent, but nothing you’ll remember long after playing.

Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions takes arcade football and puts a new spin on it, resulting in fun, frantic and frustrating gameplay. When the final whistle blows though, that marvellous manga magic makes it easier to forgive its shortcomings.

By focusing on approachability, Distraint 2 manages to invite those looking for a different take on the psychological horror genre with somewhat open arms. Unfortunately, the easy puzzles found throughout invite boredom; Certainly not the intrigue the otherwise excellent narrative carries effortlessly.

Peaky Blinders: Mastermind is a strategic take on a TV show tie-in that could have easily been mindless violence. It’s not as sharp as Tommy’s wardrobe, but for fans of the show, there’s definitely fun to be had.

Urban Trial Tricky is a fun take on a format Ubisoft successfully popularised some time ago. It’s suite of different unlocks and customisation options makes it a wild ride well worth taking, even if you’ll blow through stages relatively quickly.

Hotshot Racing is a high-octane racing treat for the Switch. Whilst self-aware of its 90s inspirations, these never get in the way of providing a solid arcade racer – something any current console will benefit from.

With some brilliant sprite art and an engulfing soundtrack, The Ambassador: Fractured Timelines is a lovely medieval romp. The gameplay is satisfying, the variation of weapons and armour adds strategy to the frantic gameplay, and the built-in achievements and additional challenges add plenty of replay value.

There is no denying that No Straight Roads boasts quality music, visuals, and wit, plus a co-op mode that’s in perfect harmony with regular gameplay. There are few calls for an encore, though, with stability issues and an empty-feeling overworld.

Avicii Invector is a musical marvel. It offers yet another opportunity to remember Tim Bergling’s remarkable talent and engage with his music in new ways. There are a couple of low notes, but it’s an enjoyable experience overall.

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.

Tiny Racer is a painful drive. The graphics show promise, but there are so many flaws; it is hard to enjoy the ride. This is a terrible game. I’m getting out the car: I’ll walk from here.

Dongo Adventure is cheap, but what is the real price to be paid to play such a bad-looking, broken, derivative game? There are countless better ways to spend your time and your money, really.

Inmost is tragic, gut-wrenching, and absolutely confronting. It’s not for the faint of heart, but if you’re looking for something that will make you cry, you’ve come to the right place.

Reason – Casual Puzzle doesn’t do anything exciting or new. Instead, it offers a familiar Sokoban experience; a simple, but perfectly enjoyable pastime for puzzle fans on a budget.

Hardcore Maze Cube makes a grave error when it mistakes unfair level design for challenging gameplay. Instead of providing the player with a difficult experience that’s enjoyable to overcome, it delivers a blundering punishment that is frustrating from start to finish.

Gerrrms is a pretty unique party game based upon swinging around points on the battlefield to change direction. Despite numerous game modes, everything feels rather similar, though. It’s not a long-term success.

Dininho Adventures is a short side-scrolling platformer that can be enjoyed by gamers of all ages. With a pleasant pixel-art style and solid gameplay, it may be a worthy option for a low budget adventurer.

Similar to other Minimol games, HexON is a relaxing puzzler that is perfect to be played in short bursts. Despite demanding some weird precision when it comes to controls, it works well as an unpretentious pastime.

Fun but flawed. Brilliant but bugged. Delightful yet disappointing. The list of opposing adjectives that can be used to describe PGA 2K21 is a long one. In short, it’s well worth a purchase if you can overlook the current performance issues.

Despite the name, Poker Hands isn’t really about poker. It is, in fact, a bite-sized puzzle game that plays with some of the rules from poker. The result isn’t much more than a pastime, and won’t really appeal to fans of puzzlers or poker.

Windbound promises so much with beautiful Zelda-like visuals, but visuals alone do not make for a great game. The survival and rogue-like aspects detract from this game’s personality, and a miserable, repetitive search across each level make the game a bore.

The feeling when you are on holiday and you don’t want to leave: free of daily obligations and worries, and being surrounded by exciting new opportunities and adventures. This is the essence of A Short Hike. Truly marvellous.

Fall head over heels with Helheim Hassle, a game about putting your best foot forward, that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. If you like entertaining puzzle games, don’t sit on your hands, get to that eShop!

While Nicole provides several hours of entertainment, you might need a guide and some positive RNG in order to get through it properly. The visual-novel mode option provides a nice alternative if the romance is all you’re really looking for.

Him & Her is a cheap platformer that could be worthwhile thanks to its different gameplay mechanics. Unfortunately, a bland presentation and some technical problems get in the way of your further enjoyment.

With plenty of levels and modes, as well as a recipe for some hilarious gameplay, there’s a lot to like with Never Breakup. However, it’s missing a lot of the polish that would make it an easy recommendation, and it definitely isn’t worth your time on your own.

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.

Clash Force does little to justify its existence outside of being an almost competent attempt at celebrating both earlier cartoons and games. Impersonating others whilst failing the carve out a niche for yourself is never a good recipe for success.

Ultra Foodmess is a very accessible party game offering a limited amount of simple but addictive mini games to serve up laughs for up to four players. At this price, it is a dish worth tasting.

Faeria is one of the best examples of a turn-based card game available yet on the Switch eShop. With various game modes, unlockables and cards to track down and unlcok, this one will keep you hooked for hours to come. It’s a hell of a lot of fun, and a joy to play.

Neko Navy – Daydream Edition adds some humour into the tired shooter genre by replacing spaceships with flying cats. It’s an unusual experience and doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it is a competent shooter with plenty of replay value.

SpyHack offers none of the thrills and spills that you’d expect of a game based on espionage. Lame gameplay, a litany of grammatical errors and miserable controls make for a really disappointing experience.

Fans of people-watching and time-management will obsess over sleuthing out Do Not Feed The Monkeys’ many endings by spying, manipulating, and barely sleeping. Although playing on the Joy-Con feels sluggish, the touchscreen works well – except during an occasional game-breaking bug.

Towaga: Among Shadows is a unique genre mash-up that just about gets away with it due to its attractive 2D animation and inventive upgrade system. The Joy-Con analogue stick might not be designed for such quick-paced play, but in short bursts it works fine.

Skully bites off more than it can chew. Its central concept is excellent; the combination of the balance mechanic in a 3D world is solid. But the drab environment, awkward camera, and overall lack of quality take the shine off things.

Phoenotopia: Awakening has the ingredients for an excellent experience, but poorly balanced combat mechanics and incredibly steep difficulty get in the way of a good time. With no adjustable difficulty settings in the game, be prepared for a slog.

For fans of the anime, Fairy Tail may be the best thing since sliced bread. For JRPG fans who couldn’t care less about the source material, this is just another basic release that fails to do anything remotely interesting.

Jisei: The First Case HD has the ingredients for something better, but a failure to dive deeper into what makes the story unique means that you’re likely to be left underwhelmed by this visual novel.

There’s truly so little fun to be found in House Flipper, where ugly graphics, awful controls and some tedious UI all combine to create something far too dull to recommend. You’re better off watching paint dry.

Remembered perhaps even more fondly than The Phantom Menace itself by some fans, Star Wars Episode I: Racer is as fun as you recall. While some difficulty issues can arise, Aspyr has done a fantastic job bringing that exhilarating, break-neck speed action back to Nintendo hardware.

Radical Rabbit Stew borrows ingredients from a few other video games to boil up a 16-bit nostalgia hit, featuring a solid (if not overly long) arcade puzzle single-player campaign, a chaotic multiplayer offering, and a level editor. Delicious.

DEX delights and disappoints in ways that it feels only DEX can. The neo-noir, dystopian open world grabs your attention from the get-go, yet its grip loosens as the marvellous makes way for the mundane. What a shame.