Sonic Frontiers on Switch is visually downgraded compared to other platforms, but I can still recommend it to anyone looking to experience Sonic's newest outing on the go. Having now played through it on PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Steam Deck, Sonic Frontiers remains one of the most fun games of the year with a superlative soundtrack. 

Doraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom is an improvement over the original in just about every way. It is worth playing if you enjoy farming and life simulation games, and is one of the best in the genre on PlayStation right now. While it is disappointing that more wasn't done to enhance the visuals on PS5 like in the PC version, I can safely recommend this to Story of Seasons fans and to those looking to get into the genre.

Valkyrie Elysium has excellent combat and music, but is let down by its story. The PC version is good and it runs well on Steam Deck barring one issue which I hope will be addressed soon. Hopefully Square Enix continues to support this release and doesn't give up on the Valkyrie series going forward because there is a lot of potential here for future DLC or sequels.

I've not played enough of Monochrome Mobius on PC for a full scored review, but I can say that this port is a lot better than the PS5 version going by the Japanese console demo I played. I'm looking forward to dig into the PC version more and see if it lives up to my high expectations when it comes to the narrative after how much I adore the Utawarerumono trilogy. Right now, I'm enjoying my time with Monochrome Mobius Steam Deck quite a bit.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA remains one of Falcom's best games, and the new PS5 version is a great entry point into the series thanks to its enhancements. If you already own the PS4 version, it isn't worth grabbing, but this is the best console version of Ys VIII, and the low asking price makes it an easy recommendation for newcomers.

Bayonetta 3 excels in its combat, music, voice acting, and scale making it essential for fans of the series, but it has a few technical issues holding it back. This is definitely PlatinumGames' most ambitious game yet, and an excellent exclusive for Nintendo Switch.

Tactics Ogre: Reborn on PC is an essential for tactical RPG fans with its deep gameplay, tons of customization, superlative soundtrack, and with how amazing it feels on Steam Deck. It took Square Enix a long time to bring Tactics Ogre back, and I'm glad we got such a great version of it.

Tactics Ogre: Reborn feels like it is a bespoke Nintendo Switch game rather than a remake of an older title. It looks and plays like a dream on the system both docked and handheld, and the addition of proper HD Rumble makes it even better. With Tactics Ogre: Reborn and Triangle Strategy, Square Enix has delivered two of the best tactical RPGs within months of each other on the best platform for the genre.

Sonic Frontiers is one of the most fun games I've played all year with a superlative soundtrack. It managed to successfully blend open world elements with Sonic mechanics which is something I didn't think would work, but here we are. Despite the visual issues and some design-related annoyances, I'm looking forward to replaying it and hope it gets some quality of life improvements in future updates.

Ultra Kaiju Monster Rancher is a game I didn't think expect to release outside Japan. It is the best modern platform entry point into the world of Monster Rancher, and I've had a blast playing it over the last few weeks. While it does suffer from the same issues that Monster Rancher 2 has, Ultra Kaiju Monster Rancher is well worth checking out on Nintendo Switch.

While The DioField Chronicle has some technical issues on Nintendo Switch, it is one of Square Enix's most interesting games in years, and one I recommend to anyone looking for a great strategy RPG. The diorama aesthetic is gorgeous and I love what the team did with the narrative and soundtrack here. Hopefully we get a sequel or story DLC in the future.

Despite its flaws, The DioField Chronicle is one of Square Enix's best and most interesting games of the year. It runs and looks great on PC, and even seamlessly syncs your progress to Steam Deck thanks to the recent addition of Steam Cloud support. The demo was promising, and I'm glad that The DioField Chronicle has delivered in almost every way on PC and Steam Deck.

Resident Evil Village – Winters' Expansion is well worth the asking price if you enjoyed the base game, but it feels a bit lacking in some aspects.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is a bigger and better sequel in almost every way. It feels like the jump we saw from Assassin's Creed Origins to Odyssey. There are some annoyances like turns taking too long even when sped up, or how enemies spawning out of portals are handled, but Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is one of the best Switch exclusives of the year, and a showcase for the OLED screen in handheld mode.

Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 has finally hit Steam following its release on Nintendo Switch and Xbox platforms. The new PC port had a rough launch, but it has quickly been fixed up to be an easy recommendation for those looking for an excellent action platformer. It runs perfectly on Steam Deck now, and even supports 120fps if you have a supported display. I'm looking forward to the remaining updates and the epilogue in December.

Triangle Strategy on Nintendo Switch was one of the best tactical RPGs in years. On PC, it scales up well and plays great even on Steam Deck barring one issue. If you skipped the Switch release for a potential PC port, your wait has been worth it. Triangle Strategy has gorgeous art, amazing music, and memorable characters that come together for an unforgettable experience that is an essential for fans of the genre.

Persona 5 Royal on Nintendo Switch is the true successor to Persona 4 Golden on PS Vita. Despite the visual cutbacks compared to the PS4 version, it is an essential for Nintendo Switch owners. With the inclusion of all prior paid and free DLC, this is a fantastic value proposition and well worth your time even in this busy month.

Persona 5 Royal was already the best version of one of the greatest JRPGs, and it has gotten an excellent PC conversion that is a joy to play on Steam Deck and PC. With the inclusion of all prior DLC from the start and support for higher frame rates and multiple control options, Persona 5 Royal on PC is absolutely essential. If you held off on prior console versions of Persona 5, your wait has been worth it.

NieR: Automata The End of YoRHa Edition is a port that I never expected would happen, let alone one that would deliver a competent NieR: Automata experience on a portable. If you've wanted to play NieR: Automata on the go, this is a great way to do so. Square Enix and Virtuous went above and beyond here with support for motion controls, touchscreen, and also exclusive DLC. It isn't as good as playing on other platforms, but delivers in a proper NieR: Automata portable experience retaining everything that made the original game one of the greatest of all time.

No More Heroes 3 on Nintendo Switch was one of the best games of 2021 despite its technical issues. On PS5, it is massively improved when it comes to visuals, performance, and load times. If you enjoyed it before and want to replay it or are new to the series, No More Heroes 3 on PS5 is a fantastic experience that had me smiling from start to finish. Even a year and multiple playthroughs later, No More Heroes 3 is a goddamn great game.

Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival is a fantastic addition to the Nintendo Switch library, but one that needs to have its DLC handled a bit better even with the Taiko Music Pass. The base game has enough to justify the asking price, but the real star is how much you get for the optional Taiko Music Pass that dramatically increases what is available in-game. Hopefully future updates and DLC bring in more game music and some VTuber songs.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R on Xbox Series X is a gorgeous anime fighter packed with a huge and varied roster, but one that is let down by its online issues. It is going to be interesting to see how it evolves over time with DLC and updates, but it is an easy recommendation in its current state to those looking to play locally or offline with all the content available from the start.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero on Nintendo Switch is the gold standard of how a JRPG should be brought to Nintendo Switch. It has improvements and upgrades over the PS4 version every way, and also goes above and beyond with many features to make it even better. I hope PH3 works on more Switch conversions in the future, because is now the best Falcom release on Switch.

Easy Come Easy Golf is a great addition to the Switch library and it is one of the best golf games on the system alongside Golf Story and What the Golf. If you skipped this on Apple Arcade or don't want to play it on a subscription, the Switch version is worth your time.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero on PC gives one of Falcom's best games the superlative PC conversion it deserves. PH3 has outdone itself once again with this release that plays like a dream across the board and shines on Steam Deck.

Lost Judgment on PC brings one of Sega's best games in recent years to Steam in an excellent conversion that plays great even on Steam Deck. While it should've included all DLC from the get go with its asking price, this is an essential if you skipped the console version or if you want to experience it again on the go.

Judgment is one of Sega's best games in years, and it has finally arrived on PC with many modern PC features and it also plays great on Steam Deck out of the box. If you skipped the recent PS5 or Xbox Series X remaster, this is an essential.

Prinny Presents NIS Classics Volume 3 on PC brings two more of the developer's older games to modern platforms with some visual improvements. La Pucelle: Ragnarok here includes a slew of improvements and new content never released in the West while Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure is well worth checking out for its soundtrack. Both games even run great on Steam Deck after a recent update fixed La Pucelle's issues.

While the option to buy them both separately like on PC would've been good, Prinny Presents NIS Classics Volume 3: La Pucelle: Ragnarok / Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure is a very good package, after the most recent Switch patch, offering the best way to experience games I never played before. Quality of life features and bonus content would've definitely made it a better collection though.

SD Gundam Battle Alliance on Xbox Series X is gorgeous and it is great to have a Gundam game back on Xbox after a generation of skipping the platform. While it needs better balancing for solo play, I've enjoyed my time with it quite a bit online and offline. I look forward to keep coming back to do a few missions as a break from other games.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R on Nintendo Switch is a mostly great port, but one that is lacking when it comes to online stability compared to other platforms. With smart changes to the environments, the developers have done a fine job with making it look good on Nintendo's hybrid system. If you're after a content-packed anime fighter, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R is well worth your time.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is the best Xenoblade game and an essential for any Switch owner despite its few flaws. With Xenoblade Chronicles 3, the Xenoblade Chronicles trilogy is Nintendo Switch's crown jewel.

Shin-Chan: Me and the Professor on Summer Vacation – The Endless Seven-Day Journey on Nintendo Switch is a relaxing experience that has been a joy to play over the last few weeks. It looks gorgeous on the OLED screen, and has a memorable cast that is elevated by the voice acting and great atmosphere here.

Shin-chan: Me and the Professor on Summer Vacation – The Endless Seven-Day Journey on PC is a bare-bones port, but one that is an absolute joy to play on Steam Deck without any issues. If you're ok with an experience that is basically the Switch version with crisper visuals and improved performance, this is an easy recommendation on Steam.

Pac-Man World Re-Pac should've been an easy recommendation on Switch, but the inconsistent frame pacing in both performance modes holds it back. I hope future updates can address this, because this is perfect for playing on the go.

SD Gundam Battle Alliance has been an absolute joy to play on both Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck over the last week with friends. I was a bit concerned about the Switch port initially, but it is great as a pick up and play game with better technical performance than I expected. It does needs some better balancing for solo play though, and the repetitive nature might turn put some off.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection from Konami and Digital Eclipse is one of my favorite retro collections ever. It is chock full of amazing bonuses in addition to many games that have been great to revisit or experience for the first time. The enhancement options and features available elevate these games quite a bit as well. If you're a fan of the games or want to check out classic TMNT games, this release is an essential.

Pac-Man World Re-Pac on PC is a great way to experience this classic whether you played it back in the day, or are completely new to the world of Pac-Man. It is on the shorter side though with a few annoying sections of levels that might put some off. If you have a Steam Deck, Pac-Man World Re-Pac runs without any issues offering great visuals and smooth performance throughout.

Digimon Survive is an great visual novel that sprinkles in tactical RPG encounters, but it needs some optimization work on Nintendo Switch and to address the localization issues. Digimon Survive also makes good use of the Switch's features with touchscreen support and even HD Rumble adding to the experience. Hopefully Bandai Namco Entertainment can build on this for a sequel or new entry in the future.

Blending a pure visual novel with a turn-based tactical RPG combat, Digimon Survive is one of the best surprises of this year so far despite its issues. It is held back by some localization issues, but feels great to play on PC including Steam Deck after a post-launch patch addressed most of the issues. Digimon Survive also serves as a nice entry point into the franchise for newcomers as long as you aren't turned off by the structure.

Soul Hackers 2 is a traditional Atlus JRPG with a super-stylish coat of paint and some welcome quality of life improvements. It has catchy music, great characters, an amazing protagonist, and a fun core loop. If you enjoyed Tokyo Mirage Sessions' gameplay, this is an essential JRPG and one of the best this year.

Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 is an excellent action platformer with great gameplay, visuals, and music. This entry shines on Xbox Series X thanks to rock solid performance and even a 120fps mode. While the story isn't memorable, the voice actors have done a good job bringing these characters to life, and I hope it gets DLC soon adding more gameplay modes or playable characters.

River City Saga: Three Kingdoms should've been a great beat 'em up that took the Downtown Special: Kunio-kun's Historical Period Drama concept to a Romance of the Three Kingdoms setting, but the lack of gameplay polish holds it back on Nintendo Switch. Hopefully Arc System Works revisits this in the future for another entry.

If you enjoy JRPGs, you owe it to yourself to play Live A Live. Despite being a remake of a decades old game, Live A Live feels fresh and will surprise you with its interesting combat, gorgeous visuals, unique structure, and superlative soundtrack. It is a strong contender for the best JRPG in years.

Yurukill: The Calumniation Games should've been a home run on Nintendo Switch since it blends two genres that perfectly suit Nintendo's hybrid console. Sadly, it doesn't feel as polished as it should, and ends up being a missed opportunity given the potential with the setting.

Yurukill: The Calumniation Games on PS5 attempts to bring two genres together, but falters on both fronts. The adventure parts don't hit the highs of genre greats, and the shoot 'em up stages are a bit too basic for me. The setting and presentation are great, and Yurukill has potential, but it would've been better had the developers stuck to building it in a single genre.

The wait for The King of Fighters 98 Ultimate Match Final Edition on PS4 was long, but it has been worth it. Having experienced it on Steam already since the rollback update hit, KOF 98 Ultimate Match Final Edition is an essential for those looking to get into a classic KOF online on PS4. It is unfortunate that SNK did not include the arranged soundtrack and 3D background options to make this the most complete version though.

Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town on PS4 is a great way to experience the newest Story of Seasons game, but it should've been the definitive version with all DLC included right from the get go. While the game's own issues are still present here, Marvelous has done a good job with the PS4 version delivering smooth performance and improved load times compared to the Switch release.

Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium brings 32 more arcade games to Nintendo Switch in a single convenient package, and it has been great playing many of them for the first time through this release. The downside to this release is that some of the more recognizable titles will likely already be in your collection through Capcom's other collections on the system. On its own, this release is great and an easy recommendation with its quality of life features and various customization options.

Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series on PC is a great port that is worth playing if you want to try out Klonoa. It plays perfectly on Steam Deck out of the box as well making it the best way to play it on the go if you have the option. The option to disable bloom on PC also helps a lot among the other settings to tweak the experience depending on your setup.

Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series brings remasters of the first two Klonoa games to Nintendo Switch with some quality of life improvements, but it is held back by some unfortunate performance issues both docked and handheld. This release should've also included the bonus artbook and soundtracks in the base release as a museum or gallery to be a true celebration of Klonoa instead of being expensive DLC.

Rune Factory 5 wasn't the best experience on Switch thanks to its technical and structural issues. On Steam Deck, the former has been addressed, but it still isn't as good as Rune Factory 4 Special. If you skipped the Switch version thanks to the performance issues, it plays much better and loads drastically faster on Steam Deck. Hopefully the next entry in the series can build on the base from Rune Factory 5 to try and reach the highs of 4.

If you've never played them before, the Deathsmiles I & II collection offers fantastic value for shoot 'em up fans. If you're new to the genre, the original Deathsmiles is a classic, and an essential. Replaying Deathsmiles on Steam Deck has been awesome, and hopefully City Connection brings more games like this to PC in the future.

The original Fire Emblem Warriors was my favorite musou game. I say was, because Three Hopes has finally dethroned it with its amazing blend of Three Houses characters and Omega Forces' tried and tested formula. This isn't just a great musou experience, but a great Fire Emblem game.

Despite the technical issues, Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak (with the base game) is one of the best Nintendo Switch games ever. The expansion enhances the base game to make it an easy recommendation for any newcomer to Monster Hunter, and an essential for every base game owner on Switch. Hopefully Capcom can improve the multiplayer performance in future updates.

DNF Duel on PS5 delivered in almost every way. I was hoping to have another fighting game that satiated my Granblue Fantasy Versus itch, and this is exactly that. The online has held up brilliantly over the last week on both PS5 and Steam Deck, and the game looks gorgeous. I hope the mobility can improve in a future update, but in its current state, I'm having a ton of fun playing DNF Duel both online and offline, and look forward to playing it regularly.

Sonic Origins offers the best way to experience these classics on PC through Retro Engine ports including a new one for Sonic 3 & Knuckles with bonus museum content and cut-scenes, but Sega needs to fix the filtering issue that makes this look blurry and also address some of the bugs that hold this back from being as good as it should be. Having recently been verified on Steam Deck by Valve, Sonic Origins is also excellent on Valve's new handheld system where I played it for review alongside the Switch version.

Sonic Origins on Nintendo Switch should've been an easy collection to recommend to anyone looking to play classic Sonic games in the best possible way, but it is held back by some optimization issues on Nintendo Switch and a lack of polish in some areas. It has a lot of care put into the overall package with some lovely extras, but it definitely needed a bit more time. Hopefully it gets a few patches to bring it to the state it deserves to be in for a potential physical release.

Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak enhances and improves Monster Hunter Rise in every way. The monsters are more challenging, the music is a lot better, and the postgame is actually good for more than a few hunts. The new mechanics add even more depth for those looking to dig deeper into each weapon. Even if Capcom didn't do a single title update, this would still be absolutely essential for every Monster Hunter Rise owner. It is that good, and I can't wait to put hundreds of hours into it over the next year.

AI: The Somnium Files nirvanA Initiative is a fantastic adventure game that builds on the original with improvements in just about every way. While it suffers from a few technical issues on Nintendo Switch even with the day one patch, it is an improved Switch conversion compared to the first game. AI: The Somnium Files nirvanA Initiative is easily one the best Switch games of 2022.

AI: The Somnium Files nirvanA Initiative gets almost everything right. It builds on the original in just about every way and remains a more accessible entry thanks to new quality of life features and difficulty options. The narrative is more over-the-top than the original with its humor turned up even more, and it excels with its excellent characters. If you enjoy mystery adventure games, you'd be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't buy AI: The Somnium Files nirvanA Initiative. It is an easy game of the year contender.

While Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade itself is a bare-bones PC conversion, it is an absolute joy to play on Steam Deck. If you skipped the console version and own a Steam Deck, it is definitely worth grabbing. I just hope it gets patched to fix some issues that still linger from the original PC launch back in December last year.

Deadly Premonition 2 on PC is the most bare-bones port I've played so far, but it runs without any issues on Steam Deck while being massively improved over the Nintendo Switch version. If you have a Steam Deck and skipped the Switch release of this game, it is worth getting to play on Valve's handheld system.

Pocky and Rocky Reshrined for Nintendo Switch is an absolutely brilliant run and gun shooter that is one of the best Nintendo Switch releases of the year. It feels great to play and looks excellent on the Nintendo Switch OLED screen, but I am disappointed that co-op is not unlocked from the start.

Capcom Fighting Collection on Nintendo Switch includes some amazing games that I was introduced to through this release and a few essentials in the genre alongside a lovely museum mode. The training features are welcome, but the online play needs some work on Switch right now when it comes to both stability and features.

As someone who never played most of these games before, the Capcom Fighting Collection package has been excellent to experience over the last few weeks. The Museum and Fighter Awards are nice additions that complement the new features like training and more added to a lot of the titles in this package. Hopefully the online holds up well, because Capcom Fighting Collection has been a joy to play on Steam Deck so far.

While Disgaea 1,4, and 5 are excellent on Switch and my favorite versions of the games, Disgaea 6 has too many technical issues on Nintendo's hybrid system to be an easy recommendation. Disgaea 6 Complete for PS5 still carries over some of the core game issues from the base release on Switch last year, but it is a massively better experience thanks to huge improvements in resolution, frame rate, and overall performance. The addition of all DLC with some bonuses right from the start definitely helps make this the version of Disgaea 6 I recommend for newcomers.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba - The Hinokami Chronicles joins Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot as another fantastic anime game on Nintendo Switch when it comes to visuals and port quality. This new version arrives packed with all post-launch updates from existing versions right from the start, and it is an easy recommendation for fans of Demon Slayer and anyone who held off on the getting the game to play it on the go on Nintendo Switch.

Biomotor Unitron is one of the best releases in Code Mystics and SNK's Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection lineup because it introduced me to a fun RPG that I hadn't even heard of before. The game itself has a few issues holding it back, but Code Mystics has done a fantastic job as usual, and can't wait to see what game arrives next following Biomotor Unitron and Big Bang Pro Wrestling.

Wonder Boy Collection is a good collection of four classics, but it lacks any meaningful extras and the many games included in the more expensive physical-only (as of now) Wonder Boy Anniversary Collection. The games included are well worth playing if you don't already own them in some form through other releases though.

Cotton Fantasy is packed with quality content, tons of replay value, and is a damn fine shoot 'em up. It joins Cotton Reboot as essentials for any fan in the genre, and I hope we see more of Cotton in the future, because this release is only held back by minor issues.

Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Mega Mix+ on Steam Deck is the best portable Project Diva experience ever with its huge song list, gorgeous visuals, excellent performance, and features from both Nintendo Switch and PS4 games. If you've never played a Miku game yet, this is a fantastic entry point and an essential for rhythm game and Hatsune Miku fans.

Drainus from Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth developer Team Ladybug is an essential shoot 'em up with its superb gameplay, excellent visuals, and replay value. It is accessible to newcomers and truly shines on Steam Deck. Hopefully online leaderboards get added in a future update because this is one of the best games of the year so far.

Touken Ranbu Warriors is the most accessible musou on Nintendo Switch, and one with great visuals, solid performance, and a lot of content for fans of Touken Ranbu. It will not satiate those looking for a very deep Warriors game, but is a solid entry for newcomers and one of the better Warriors games on Switch.

The Legend of Runersia is a superb strategy game that scales well on PC. After its first patch, almost all my issues with the port were resolved, and it feels great to play even on Steam Deck. Having enjoyed it recently on Switch and previously on PS4, I'm glad to see Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia get even more features in its Steam release making it the best version of the game. Hopefully the few other PC-specific issues can be resolved in future updates.

Prinny Presents NIS Classics Volume 2 brings two games that haven't been ported to any system in years to both PC and Nintendo Switch. Makai Kingdom and ZHP are well worth checking out, but the real star of this collection is ZHP. They run fine on my laptop and Steam Deck, but I am disappointed in the lack of any quality of life improvements to make the games accessible to newcomers. As it stands, this collection is worth getting for fans of NIS games and those looking try out some of the developer's earlier gems.

Prinny Presents NIS Classics Volume 2: Makai Kingdom: Reclaimed and Rebound / ZHP: Unlosing Ranger vs. Darkdeath Evilman brings two of NIS' more unique experiences to Nintendo's hybrid console. While the first volume launched in a very rough state, both Makai Kingdom and ZHP have been mostly a joy to experience on Switch. It is disappointing that there are no quality of life features or boosts added to make this more accessible to newcomers though.

If you are a fan of both the Neptunia and Senran Kagura franchises, it is worth grabbing Neptunia X Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars on Steam. This isn't the best crossover game, and I was hoping for more from the Senran Kagura side, but the PC port is great. It runs brilliantly even on Steam Deck. If you already played it on PS4 though, the new difficulty options aren't enough to warrant a double dip. If you skipped the PS4 and recent Switch versions to play it at the best fidelity possible, the PC version will deliver.

Demon Gaze Extra is a great version of one of the PS Vita's better DRPGs. It is worth getting for fans of the genre, but not essential for those who played the PS Vita original. The added features and content are nice to have, but the asking price is a bit too high right now to warrant a double dip.

Demon Gaze Extra for PC sees the PS Vita dungeon RPG finally arrive on Steam after all these years with a few new features, but the port is sadly bare-bones. Its high asking also doesn't help. Demon Gaze Extra is only worth grabbing right now if you're a fan of the developer and skipped the PS Vita original. Everyone else should wait for a discount.

Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition is worth getting if you want to play this PS1 classic on Switch and are willing to play it with the classic graphical style. The soundtrack is legendary, and the new battle enhancement features make for a much nicer experience. The new graphical style is sadly a mixed bag with some nice model and font upgrades, but awful performance and ugly backgrounds.

Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition on PC feels more like an enhanced port offering both Chrono Cross and Radical Dreamers with some quality of life improvements on Steam. The classic graphical style is how I enjoyed Chrono Cross, and it has been a joy to finally experience this game after all these years. The new graphical style sadly has too many issues to bother with right now on any platform sadly. I've also enjoyed checking out Chrono Cross on Steam Deck over the last week or so where it runs quite well after some tweaking, and it's a great way to play it if you have the option.

In its current state after a few updates, Babylon’s Fall is worth trying through the demo before you should consider picking it up on a discount. Until the team can overhaul the progression system to ensure most things aren't unlocked after a dozen hours of playing, Babylon's Fall likely will continue to lose players early on. There is definitely potential here and a lot of the bosses and areas are worth experiencing, but it is hard to recommend at even half price right now unless you click with the combat in the demo and want to see more.

Gotta Protectors: Cart of Darkness is an essential for Nintendo Switch owners with its humor, fun gameplay, appreciation of older video games, and brilliant music. The blend of strategy and action never gets old, and the online play works surprisingly well. This is one of the best value packages available on the eShop with DLC that is an absolute must buy for fans of Yuzo Koshiro’s music.

Neptunia X Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars on NIntendo Switch is a competent port of a game that itself feels like a missed opportunity. If you skipped the PS4 version to play on the go, this is one of the better Compile Heart ports on Nintendo Switch. I just wish the game itself did more justice to the Senran Kagura franchise.

Taito Milestones offers good value with its 10 arcade games, but lacks any extra content or bonus features making it feel like just a set of Arcade Archives releases rather than a package worth owning for fans of the developer with bonus interviews, artwork, and other potential extras.

Big Bang Pro Wrestling is an easy recommendation for fans of wrestling games on Nintendo Switch, and is another quality conversion from Code Mystics. While it might seem dated in some ways, this is the closest to Fire Pro Wrestling on Nintendo's hybrid system right now.

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is easily one of the best games in a decade and an absolute must play on Nintendo Switch despite the technical issues in some battle situations. I was skeptical of how it would run in parts given the performance issues on PS4, but the port is very well done and it looks fantastic on the Nintendo Switfch OLED screen. If you skipped this on PS4, you absolute have to buy it on Switch.

Despite some annoying performance issues, Elden Ring is a masterpiece. The combat, enemy variety, exploration, music, and open world are top notch. I’ve been playing it daily across all platforms alongside other games all month, and look forward to doing that all year as I try new builds, help friends, and try to do everything I want in this triumph of a video game.

Andro Dunos 2 has a lovely aesthetic and great core gameplay, but it is held back by the lack of display options and online leaderboards. Hopefully these can be addressed in potential updates.

Lost Judgment was a superlative experience, and The Kaito Files DLC proves that Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio's future is in good hands. While this DLC should've been cheaper on its own, combined with the other content in the Season Pass, it is well worth grabbing for any fan of Judgment and its characters. I hope we don't have to wait too long for another Judgment game and would love to see a full game with Kaito as the lead.

Triangle Strategy is one of the best tactical RPGs, and an absolute essential for every Nintendo Switch owner. It has gorgeous art, amazing music, and memorable characters that come together for an unforgettable experience told through multiple endings.

Crystar is an action RPG with a compelling story, great voice acting, and excellent music. It is let down by mediocre combat and level design. On Nintendo Switch it includes all the DLC right from the get go at a lower asking price than other versions, but it has seen some noticeable visual and performance cutbacks compared to the PS4 version.

When servers are online and functional, Gran Turismo 7 is a triumph of the racing genre. There's a lot to love with its chilled out atmosphere in its campaign, a plethora of control options, and a vast number of cars to collect. Throw in impeccable production values and visuals, and you have one of the best racing games ever. Albeit one I can only recommend if you can stomach its always-online requirement.

Rune Factory 5 is an ambitious entry in the series that does many things well, but one that suffers thanks to a plethora of technical and structural issues. Despite it building on Rune Factory 4 in some nice ways, Rune Factory 4 Special remains one of the best games in a very long time while Rune Factory 5 feels like it needed more time to reach its full potential.

The Cruel King and the Great Hero tells a memorable story with great music and a lovely aesthetic, but it is let down by the gameplay and some performance issues on Switch.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax on Nintendo Switch is a fantastic portable version of the game, but one that lacks a few online features compared to the PS4 version. It also doesn't look as good as the PS4 version when played docked. Despite that, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is one of the best fighting games available on Nintendo's hybrid system.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax on PS4 offers immense value with so much DLC included in its budget asking price. Years later, the game has aged brilliantly, and while I would've liked some of the assets to be improved for higher resolution displays, there's no denying the sheer quality of the newest release of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax. Hopefully the wait for the rollback netcode update isn't too long.