Picross S2 perfectly encapsulates the alluring one more go feeling that so many like-minded puzzle games aspire for, and does so with such masterful implementation. Jupiter show they are still the master of their craft, as they have always been in their 25 years of releasing Picross titles across Nintendo's hardware.

Trine doesn’t feel dated despite the near decade that has passed since its original release, though there are still things that need ironing out. With more Trine to come on Switch, hopefully the newer titles provide rectification.

Despite creating a unique horror ambience thanks to an outstanding hand-drawn presentation, Yomawari: The Long Night Collection creates a ‘hide-and-seek’ gameplay loop in which the tension goes away due to the cheap jump scares and unfair repetition.

Hue has a clever USP which makes for some interesting puzzling. It’s not very long, but it’s certainly a game worth looking at.

Once you get past the dated graphics, slow RPG gameplay, and wonky (but improved) PC-to-console controls, you will find one of the better stories available to you in gaming in each of these titles. A worthy place for fans of the original releases to return, as well as for those paper-and-pencil gaming aficionados.

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.

If there was more competition in the field, Football Manager Touch on the Nintendo Switch could well have been in trouble. As it stands, Sports Interactive has the monopoly and, unfortunately for us Switch Players, it shows.

A modern-day musical Pong.

With its imaginative premise and simple gameplay design, Headland is an enjoyable title for all. Some performance flaws aside, this is a brilliant example of how to bring a game from mobile to Switch, for an arguably improved experience.

Soundfall might sound pretty great on paper, but the execution could have been better. It’s missing the creativity that could have elevated it to greater heights. What we’re left with is a promising shooter that falls into repetition disappointingly often.

Vesper: Zero Light Edition combines stealth platforming with light/dark puzzles in a visually arresting landscape. There’s a lot to like (light?) here, but the core gameplay isn’t quite as compelling as the beautiful presentation. Nevertheless, Vesper is worth investigating.

Astronite is a 1-bit Metriodvania with a touch of inspiration from the Souls franchise. The pairing of the simple controls with the difficult gameplay create a delightful 2D challenge that will keep you going at it until the bitter end.

Mushroom Wars 2 is a successful effort at real-time strategy on the Switch. The simple game mechanics lend themselves to short pick-up and play sessions that anyone can get into. We're pleased to report that it's easy to recommend.

Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs - Royal Edition is a mixed bag of an adventure. It is worth a visit but performance issues and dull gameplay mean it may not be worth a stay.

Nairi: Tower of Shirin has plenty of character, but at times it’s so heavy on the slow-moving text that it feels too much like a children’s book.

A CRPG classic whose story holds up, though suffers from a cumbersome control scheme, sound bugs, game crashes, and seemingly poor optimisation. If you are keen to try out these classics, unfortunately the Switch version is not an ideal way to do so.

Zarvot, much like the cube you play as, has some rough edges at times, but is a really charming little game chock full of content. A surprisingly touching single player story with satisfying gameplay and great local multiplayer make this Switch exclusive title worth looking into.

Gunbird is a faithful port of a solid 90s shoot-em-up. Its fantastic range of difficulty levels means that most gamers will be suitably catered for, but there are undoubtedly stronger examples of the genre currently available on Switch.

Red Faction: Guerrilla Re-Mars-tered makes it just as addictive to cause destruction as it originally did 10 years ago. While few downgrades have been made to get it on Switch, it’s a solid addition to the console’s library of third-persona action games.

Boyfriend Dungeon‘s unlikely mix of dating sim and dungeon crawler charms more than it irks, letting you romance your way through many a dungeon. Is it over too quickly? Yes, but this heartfelt summer vacation is fun while it lasts.

Semispheres is a pretty standard puzzle game, it has some nice concepts but fails to really elaborate on them enough to build a more compelling experience. The game is a good way to spend an evening if you prefer to relax and stroll through some straightforward puzzles, so for those with a cerebral itch, Semispheres is a decent if forgettable experience.

Burly Men at Sea is a charming little adventure that gamers of any age will enjoy. The limited interactivity may put off some people, but this is an adventure full of whimsy and humour that I can fully recommend.

Despite being labeled a remaster, Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning shows signs of its age and rocky development history. It has enough qualities to appeal to fans of western RPGs, but only if you’ve already played the better options available.

Inspired by Super Mario Bros. 2, Onion Assault delivers an unusual platform experience that brings certain puzzle-like features to the linear levels. Unfortunately, the platforming gameplay isn’t as slick as these cool concepts.

Namco Museum does a lot of things right - but despite the wonderful presentation, it’s still only focused on a limited audience. Putting a value on retro games can often be difficult given how easy it is to obtain and play these titles elsewhere; that said, Namco have put together an extremely desirable package that fits very nicely on the Switch. If it was cheaper it would be easier to recommend to everyone, but as it stands you’re only likely to pick this one up if you’ve got some retro-tinted specs like me. For those of us who do though, it’s a fantastic trip down memory lane.

Star Ghost is a great example of a simple idea executed well. It’s very easy to pick up and play and does feel very rewarding. As a portable-only game, you can probably add a little onto the score, but as a console experience, it just doesn’t have enough to keep you occupied for too long. It’s a good game, it’s just not anything you absolutely have to own.

Nintendo Switch Sports is competent, but unremarkable. It fails to recapture the magic of the Wii days, even though all of the tools are available. It does exactly what it says it will, but little else.

Snake Pass is a flawed experience - of that there is little doubt. But, for the most part, it’s worth your perseverance. I’d argue that the Switch version is where this game “belongs” the most. Having it available as a handheld experience which you can dip in and out of in short bursts plays right to the strengths of this game and, critically, avoids the frustrations which inevitably build up with any prolonged playtime.

While a little pricey and devoid of extras, GRANDIA HD Collection nonetheless means you have two excellent classic JRPGs that gives its unrivaled battle system another chance to shine.

Skylanders Imaginators feels tired. A game that either needs a significant break or possible retirement, it's difficult to recommend to anyone but younger gamers - and parents would probably prefer to avoid it due to the additional character cost. There are plenty of other games more worthy of your cash, and if you desperately must have this game, buy it on another system where the starter pack will be cheaper.

AOT 2 excels when you're running around and chasing down the titans. It's a shame to have to break that up with worrying about having to purchase and upgrade weapons - the game should feel more backs-to-the-wall, so the emphasis should have been more on the action.

When we think of eShop titles, we want something to give us an experience that we've never had before. Super Daryl Deluxe does that in droves. A more fluid combat system would have got it a higher score, but this one comes well-recommended.

Don't Die, Mr. Robot DX! is a game that you can just sit back, chill out and play. The difficulty will ramp up if you play in a mode other than Chill Out mode - but a quick five-minute session can soon turn into hours when this addictive arcade game sinks its hooks into you.

There is plenty of rewarding construction on offer in Where Ski Lifts Go Wrong. The game is sure to test your mental agility, and there’s a good challenge in balancing that with consideration of the agility of the characters you have to transport.

Sydney Hunter and the Curse of the Mayan has great playability, keeping things challenging and allowing you to re-challenge main bosses. It’s just a few glitches that hinder the gameplay and subtract from the experience, yet it still remains extraordinarily fun.

With its unusual premise, Bridge Constructor – Ultimate Edition tasks you with the ultimate challenge of creating bridges of different formats and sizes. This takes place as an obtuse and hard puzzler. One which involves more trial-and-error than you may want to deal with.

Colt Canyon offers an interesting take on the western genre which works extremely well as a roguelike adventure. Pixel art, twin-stick shooting, and a well-crafted soundtrack combine effortlessly, it’s just a shame that it is as challenging as it is.

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.

Bonito Days is a fantastic soundtrack with amazing artwork, wrapped up in a pretty okay game. If you’re looking for a chill-vibe party game to play with your housemates, the local multiplayer is an enjoyable and worthy experience.

Mail Mole is platforming action in its purest form. Considerably cute, moderately challenging, with gameplay aspects that will keep both newbies and hardcore gamers happy.

Flood of Light is a challenging but clever puzzler. Some of its tougher puzzles require some head-hurting thinking, but at least a plot twist at the end is strong reward.

Batman: The Telltale Series brings together some of the franchise's most iconic heroes and villains, weaving a story that is intriguing and thrilling for the most part. It can be predictable at times, and the game engine is well past its sell by date, but fans and newcomers alike will love what Telltale have crafted here.

Shiftlings: Enhanced Edition is an incredibly fun indie puzzle platformer that has plenty of content to keep you entertained for hours. With an entertaining premise, upbeat music and enough cringeworthy jokes to last a lifetime, this is definitely one eShop title that you won't want to miss - even if it does have issues with its control scheme and sense of fairness.

Stranger’s Wrath’s HD port feels a little dated despite the performance improvements, but it’s still a blast to play. The charming characters, impressive worldbuilding and unique gameplay design pull through to offer up perhaps the best version of this Oddworld entry.

The Count Lucanor is definitely worth a place in your Switch eShop library. Comprising a castle of a range of different puzzle challenges in each room, it's like a scarier version of the Crystal Maze. Well-written storytelling also helps its case, and while it may not be long, it certainly is memorable.

Candle: The Power of the Flame is a great title for fans of adventure and puzzles. It could be improved with a hint system, though, as some of the tougher sequences are a little obscure.

Smoke and Sacrifice takes the gameplay loop of survival games and adds meaning with a poignant narrative. It presents a unique and oppressive world to be explored and exploited, but a repetitive and busywork crafting system strips part of the fun.

The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince delivers a short but heartwarming experience that, despite having some flaws in its gameplay, really sticks with you after the ending credits thanks to its beautiful presentation.

Cris Tales is a fantastic JRPG that blends enough traditional mechanics with new ideas to keep it feeling fresh and innovative. It features an engrossing world you’ll long for more hours to explore and absorb.

Just Dance 2017 is a good way to introduce new players to the game, or to get friends in the game with you - but as for accuracy, it's not the best. That said, you'll probably be having so much fun dancing to the Sumo version of "Hips Don't Lie" that you won't even notice the hiccups.

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.

Tanuki Justice is a high-quality, retro-inspired, hardcore platformer that vibrates with the personality of the era that it pays respects to. It is very short, but for those that prefer an all killer no filler approach, it’s money well spent.

Shu is a beautiful 2D platformer that while short on length and content provides a wonderful and mostly peaceful adventure for all audiences to enjoy.

Bad North not only manages to bring the RTS genre to the consoles, but it does that in a surprisingly good way thanks to its minimalist philosophy and rewarding tactical combat system.

Among the mobile games available on Switch, Swords & Soldiers stands out as an enjoyable strategy game that, despite its simplicity, works well as a bite-sized handheld experience.

Mundaun didn’t quite grip me the way I would have liked, however it’s clear to see why it has for so many. There’s an appreciation that stems from bold new efforts, and I recommend seeing if it’s for you.

The Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection is a no-holds barred, hack and slash experience that offers fun and challenge in equal measure. It isn’t perfect, but it really doesn’t need to be. Just enjoy it for what it is, as it was intended.

Light Fall blends some neat new platforming ideas with an unforgiving difficulty in places. Don't expect to complete it unless you want to spend time and effort getting some real practice in.

Resident Evil 5 continues a year of already impressive ports on Nintendo, working in full motion controls and all released DLC to work as the definitive way to play.

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet brings forth a much-needed evolution for the series. The core gameplay has been refined and rejuvenated to please fans new and old, however, its performance betrays it, preventing these games from reaching their full potential.

El Hijo – A Wild West Tale is a charming stealth adventure game with an amazing story. However, some latency issues can lead to more frustration than fun. Fingers crossed for a patch, and then it will be well worth a purchase.

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.

It doesn't matter how clever or interesting your idea is, or how stunning and vibrant your game looks when it's just no fun to play. Perseverance with Fe could ultimately yield some satisfaction but for me it was just too boring.

Dimension Drive is a fantastic addition to the Shoot-em-up genre and the Dimension swapping mechanic is implemented incredibly well into the game, just don't expect an easy ride.

Painting the town red is an easy feat to achieve in de Blob, but that can't prevent the objectives from being incredibly tedious, basic, and simply not on par with the modern platformers today.

Minecraft Dungeons is a great game for newcomers of the genre, the series, and veteran players alike. Only slightly held back by its lacklustre graphics in handheld mode, this dungeon crawler is definitely worth a go.

Bear and Breakfast is a cosy and relaxing management sim that offers players rewarding gameplay and an exciting story. The game does suffer with some janky controls and a HUD system that needs tweaking for Nintendo Switch systems, but if you want a management sim that isn’t the run-of-the-mill, this one’s for you.

Just Dance 2018 is an unremarkable addition to a tired series with little to entice returning players back into the fold. It's a shame such a large portion of the game is hidden behind a pay wall, but newcomers will nevertheless find plenty here to be getting on with for a while, particularly if you play in a party environment with friends and family.

Despite its initial learning curve, Skybolt Zack is one of the most inventive 2D platformers on Nintendo Switch, effortlessly balancing rhythmic fun and fair challenge.

While not perfectly suited for the small screen, SpeedRunners provide a fantastic multiplayer experience that is easy to jump in, but hard to master. If you’re a solo player, it may not keep you hooked for long, but grab some friends, and you’ll have fun like never before.

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.

Saints Row IV: Re-Elected is a surprisingly good port of one of the craziest open-world games ever made. Even with a somewhat dated structure, it presents an amazing playground where fun is put in front of anything else.

Football Manager 2020 Touch is slightly better than last year’s game, but will still only appeal to its niche Dukla Prague away-kit-loving audience, with the FIFA series mopping up the rest. There’s no need for VAR to see that.

Team Sonic Racing is a decent kart racing game that you’d do well to try out. It handles really well and, despite running at a mere 30FPS, looks pretty good for the most part. However, the team mechanic is entirely unnecessary to the experience, and the game just simply doesn’t match up to Nintendo’s own karting effort.

Although the premise of Pool Panic sounds great, the novel ideas and craziness soon wear thin and seem sparse at times amongst the game's 100 stages. I felt the single player mode outstayed its welcome and would have been better with fewer stages and more time spent on fine-tuning the mechanics. More frustrating than fun, and don't get me started on those quick-footed colour balls! At least the multiplayer mode provides fun when with friends!

There may be little original content in this adventure, but Cathedral collates a lot of classic gaming principles to wrap them up successfully in a retro-inspired Metroidvania tale. There’s plenty of ground to explore. Can you handle one more knight?

At first glance, Aces of the Luftwaffe – Squadron doesn’t seem to be much more than a solid shoot ‘em up with a cartoonish art style. It does add some little twists to the formula though, and, despite its minor performance issues, it delivers a fun arcade experience that fits perfectly on a handheld, and gets better with friends.

One Night Stand is too short to offer a satisfying visual novel. The emphasis here is on making different decisions to get all twelve endings, but subsequent playthroughs are shorter and nowhere near as interesting as the first.

Starblox Inc. offers a unique couch co-op puzzle-brawler experience that, unless your friends are extremely passive, won’t work that well for you. This is largely due to its unpolished controls and hit-or-miss accuracy issues.

HyperParasite delivers an enjoyable, well-rounded roguelite experience on the Nintendo Switch. While it stumbles at times, the addictive gameplay, unapologetic 80’s references, and unique approach to the genre help dull the pain of its limited, sometimes-repetitive level design.

Pioneers of Olive Town is its own worst enemy, tightening and unravelling in equal measure. What’s left is a farming simulation game that hasn’t yielded the best harvest just yet. More sunlight and a drop of water could do it, though.

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.

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet brings forth a much-needed evolution for the series. The core gameplay has been refined and rejuvenated to please fans new and old, however, its performance betrays it, preventing these games from reaching their full potential.

Though the content and concept of My Time at Portia is sublime, having the potential to enslave your attention for months to come, the Switch port lacks the polish and love it so desperately deserves. Should quality of life fixes be implemented, this will certainly be worth sinking your time into. For now, not so much.

Omno is a short experience that provides a lot of satisfaction to completionists and casual gamers alike. It has a wonderful soundtrack to accompany the astonishingly well realised world that you’ll explore and complete puzzles in over the course of a single afternoon.

Earth Atlantis is a fun, competent and very challenging shooter. The three difficulty modes will keep even hardened shmup fans occupied, while more casual players will enjoy dipping their toe into this gorgeous world just to see it in action. But if you want to see this through to the end, you’ll need to be real shmup fan.

Cozy Grove is a game with tons of unfulfilled potential. A case of style over substance, it may give completionists plenty of reasons to come back on a daily basis, but every time you do, you have to deal with technical issues and repetitive quests.

Button City is an adorable little adventure-arcade game that is both lighthearted and heartfelt, with an amazing soundtrack, a lovable cast of characters, and a story with all the feels. It’s a worthy addition to any Switch library.

It's charming, and definitely an experience. It features explosive gameplay of sorts, but not what you'd expect. Little Inferno isn't for everyone, but for those looking for something different - and who just want to waste a little time, or watch the world burn (figuratively speaking) - you could certainly find something to enjoy.

Let down only by slowdown, The Sexy Brutale is a load of fun. It's got that Scooby-Doo-like magic to it, that sense of achievement when you solve the puzzles and save the day. Atmosphere is good, music is good, as is innovation - without the slowdown, it would be perfect.

Bridge Constructor Portal is more than just a Valve themed reskin. Developer ClockStone have incorporated the fan favourite series with great elegance, using portals and their well-known physics based puzzle mechanics to genuinely spice up the Bridge building gameplay. Highly recommended to any fans of the Portal series.

Swim Out is a well crafted, relaxing puzzle game. What it lacks in innovation it makes up for in polish, the puzzles are well designed and the game never overstays it's welcome. Switch owners looking to scratch that puzzle itch would do well to go for a few lengths with Swim Out.

Phantom Doctrine is an extensive espionage strategy game, with a ton of features and gameplay elements to get stuck into, but its downgrades for the Switch port make the experience – while not unplayable – jarring and awkward at times. Unless you’re set on playing this one on the go, it’s likely better experienced with a mouse and keyboard.

A refined 80s-inspired puzzler, Cyber Protocol is enjoyable from start to finish, with plenty of replayability. However, its repetitive gameplay and visuals may make for a tiresome time if you’re not impressed by its charm and style.

Dogurai is truly a hidden gem on the Switch eShop. Challenging, engaging and memorable despite its short length, it’s a steal at its current eShop price. It may not reinvent the wheel, but it’s a great budget platformer.

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!

Overall, Lonesome Village succeeds at what it sets out to do. It doesn’t do anything unique, and it isn’t without its flaws; if you’re looking for something that offers a relaxing, chilled experience, then this one is for you.

Hexologic is a simplistic, relaxing puzzler that combines its calm music with some pleasing aesthetics and rewarding design. Whilst this does mean that it can be relatively easy to complete, it's cheap and makes a nice companion to watching TV or listening to a podcast after a long day. At such a low price point, it's hard to say no to another mobile game enhanced on the Switch.