I wouldn’t call Splintered Fate a must-have in general, but TMNT fans will probably enjoy this twist on the usual fare. The multiplayer is well-implemented, and it’s good to see that important TMNT element wasn’t passed over despite this being the kind of game that is usually played solo. Those without an affinity for the Turtles can find better roguelite games to play on the Switch, but with this being such an intensely competitive genre on the platform it’s to the credit of Splintered Fate that it can manage to keep pace at all. Not bad.

It's not a bad game, and I think that you again get quite a lot of gameplay for your money here, but I'd caution any prospective buyer to consider if that's really what they're looking for. It's not quite the game that the first Agarest was, so I'd recommend that one first, and after that, if you truly want more, you'll likely enjoy what Zero has to offer.

While the idea of a smart-talking Pikachu who solves crimes is one that I think almost everyone can get behind, Detective Pikachu Returns is a game with narrower appeal. If you loved the first game and can accept that this is essentially a 3DS follow-up that fell between the couch cushions for a half-decade, you might enjoy this. If you have a Pokemon-loving kid, I think they’ll get a kick out of this entry-level adventure. Otherwise, this is harder to recommend to anyone with even the smallest amount of experience with the genre. Not everything aimed at a younger audience is going to work for us big kids, and I regrettably think this is one such case.

Even if you aren't a zombie fan, turn-based and puzzle enthusiasts should give Dead Eyes a shot. An expansion of sorts for a few bucks would do wonders in terms of its longevity, but for now, it's a decently-packed undead romp.

If you enjoy beat-em-ups, particularly the ones from the late 00s/early 10s era like Scott Pilgrim or Castle Crashers, you’ll probably enjoy what Jitsu Squad has to offer. It’s a bit short on technique and I do wish the unlockable tag team mode was simply there from the start. Four players to go with the four characters would have been nice as well. But it gets a lot more right than it gets wrong, and its big, silly energy is hard to deny.

Despite the relatively light amount of content, I still think FlyBoy does a pretty good job creating a well-rounded 'quickie' game. There's enough strategy within each of the levels in order to keep you coming back, as well as all the usual competitive features to make sure that you aren't simply playing against yourself.

While the quality of Breakout: Recharged is generally good and the new additions help spice things up, this one didn’t quite click for me the way the last couple of Recharged games did. Power-ups aren’t a huge game changer here thanks to the existence of Arkanoid, and Breakout is just never going to play as well as it needs to without a paddle or spinner controller of some sort. Fans of the original or the Recharged line as a whole won’t be disappointed, but those looking for a good brick breaker can probably find better options on the Switch.

Nour: Play With Your Food is worth experiencing if you love food, art, and interactive apps. While the Switch version isn’t the best way to experience it, Nour still feels best on a portable, and I hope it does well enough to get more DLC or even a physical release. We don’t see many releases like this in gaming, but games like Nour and Townscaper are the perfect compliment to more-involved RPGs and story-driven games.

Overall, if you're a fan of mini-game collections and you're looking for a new fix, Flick Champions does a solid job of satisfying that need.

With Pac-Land being as early an example of the genre as it is, it’s obviously not going to hold up to some of the fancier platformers out there. But it’s not a bad little game all on its own, regardless of which control set-up you opt for. The colorful, chipper presentation is appealing, and that triumphant trip back through the stage after dropping off the fairy is a fun touch. It’s unfortunate that the included version isn’t the one the North American audience will remember, but it plays the same and in this case that’s not a bad thing at all.

I don’t think Front Mission 2: Remake is a spectacular remake of the original game, but it’s not a bad one either. It’s on the good side of that line. The game itself is very enjoyable for those with the right mindset, though it hasn’t seen any mechanical changes here and feels very much its age as a result. The biggest fly in the ointment is the iffy English localization, which takes a game with an outstanding story and almost mulches its challenging plot. Still, it’s nice to have this game officially available in English at all, and the technical improvements over the original are very much appreciated.

Overall, Forager on iOS is a bit of a mixed bag. On its own, it is easy to recommend assuming you play with a controller because the touch controls aren’t great and there’s no real customization for them. However, if you already own Forager on another system and want a portable version, I’d recommend waiting for a patch to see if the control issues and UI get addressed. Forager itself is a must play as far as I’m concerned but the iOS port leaves a lot to be desired despite being more feature complete than most console-to-mobile ports.

The difficulty levels are amateur and professional, although let's get serious, there's no professionals; surely no-one is getting paid to chain surf out there! (…Are they?) Although, next time you see a chain fence, I bet some of you will be tempted.

Back to Bed has a relatively small target audience with decisions that were made to emphasize visuals over gameplay, but for that audience there is a lot of appeal.

As long as you’re able to gather your buddies onto the couch for some gaming fun now and then, you’ll have a good time with Action Arcade Wrestling.

With very little in the way of IAP and a "one more round" feel, Call of Commander is really easy to get lost with.

Whateverland is an enjoyable point-and-click style adventure game that plays as well on Switch as anything designed around a mouse interface could. It’s not too difficult, though some of its many mini-games can be irritating. The setting and bizarre cast of characters are what carries this quest by and large, along with a strong, distinctive presentation. The two routes offer genuine replay value, though neither one feels like it reaches its full potential. Worth a pick-up for adventure game fans, and if you like the premise you’ll likely enjoy how it delivers on it.

Maybe with a fully featured story, a world map, and multiple paths to pursue, Combo Queen could have been a really cool action-RPG hybrid. Instead it's a rather limited rhythm title that isn't going to appeal to everyone -- especially if you don't have the patience to painstakingly learn the ins and outs of the system.

Given how many iOS golf games work from a side perspective, MiniGolf's overhead view is almost as refreshing as it is nostalgic.

Movie tie-in's can sometimes be terrible games, rushed out to promote a movie, but this near-future robotic boxing game is reasonable– Mostly because robots fighting makes for a decent game.

On the whole, though, Crazy Bomber is a decent game, and it will be much better if online multiplayer is added. If you're craving Bomberman-style play, you won't go wrong picking it up.

Hyper Snake is great for a quick game, has heaps of replay value and is quite challenging. However it's crying out for Game Center, which the developers plan to add.

The gameplay is a little too simplistic for serious gamers, but it can still be fairly entertaining at times.

After beating it once, I feel little imperative to do so again, an odd turn of circumstances given that War on Terror was derived from a board game.

The story CRYMACHINA weaves is the main thing that will keep you playing, as even if it isn’t the most original of tales there’s something a bit grippy to it. The gameplay is as average as it gets for an action-RPG, and it’s decent and interesting enough that it shouldn’t keep you from enjoying that tale. The usual Switch port technical issues are here, so do keep that in mind if you have other acceptable options for playing it. It falls well short of the works that seemingly inspired it, but CRYMACHINA is one of the better games from FuRyu on Switch.

I enjoyed the majority of my time with Versus - The Lost Ones, but a weak beginning and an ending that satisfies little of one's curiosity definitely hurt the game overall.

Visco Collection gives you seven games to play at a quality above this publisher’s usual efforts. While some good effort has been made in some ways, such as by adding online play to some of the games, it’s less impressive in other aspects. Don’t expect any fancy explanations of what these games are or why you should care about them or Visco. It’s just the games, running more or less as they should, with a few options in tow. For some that is going to be plenty, while others will find themselves wishing for a little more.

I enjoyed Oddworld: Soulstorm more often than I didn’t. The moments of frustration were intense, but most of the time I was just having a good time rolling through this adventure. The performance issues are both expected and unfortunate, but I suppose it could have been a whole lot worse. This is still just about as playable as the other versions of the game. That said, if you have the option of a more powerful platform, I would take it. A decent enough game to not let down the series, but not one I would recommend to anyone but those who are all-in on the Odd.

Talking with some bicycle enthusiasts (and checking the forums), it seems that getting to equip real brands and seeing the suspension rotate to accurately reflect the frame it's in are a huge boon to its overall value. For those of us that aren’t cycling fanatics, though, there’s still a great joy to be found in Downhill Supreme.

Some parts of Blocky Raider are a little too similar to Crossy Road, but for the most part, it's an enjoyable game that has a lot going for it. Having said that, I fully expect to go back to my Crossy addiction in a week.

The good thing for us is that this game is not designed to force you to make purchases. It’s actually tough to find the purchases in the game and you don’t need them. It actually serves as another reminder this isn’t a corporate money printer. That said though, Raid Manager is not as good as it could be for many of the above reasons, but the bottom line is that it is still a fun game despite itself.

Would I ever recommend this game over Vampire Survivors? No, not in a million years. But I can give it a light recommendation if you enjoyed Vampire Survivors and Brotato and are looking for something else that is similar and half-decent. Hero Survival feels a game that can’t quite find an identity of its own, and it’s something of a shame because the nuts and bolts here are functional and fairly enjoyable.

Sons Of Uruzime is just traditional enough that it likely won't appeal to those who aren't already into gamebooks, but if you do enjoy them, this is worth picking up and taking a few cracks at.

Beast Bound is an okay game made slightly better by infusing itself with an infectious amount of enthusiasm.

It's unusual to see such hand-holding near the end of a game. Still, Spacelings kept my interest, right to the final levels, with it's tractor-beaming action.

Ancient Battle: Rome may look ugly, but the combat is solid.

If you have a child or an open mind for a edutainment, Zoombinis is worth checking out -- just know that time doesn't heal all wounds.

Even at its best, it doesn’t come anywhere near the sheer joy of SaGa Scarlet Grace‘s masterful gameplay. That’s a shame, because this game sure does look and sound great. If you’re willing to invest time and energy into a rather cumbersome game to find the gold within, you may enjoy The Last Remnant. But while it may not have the word ‘SaGa‘ in its name, know that it represents that brand’s typical ups and downs quite thoroughly in its essence. Proceed with caution.

I found the puzzle designs a little more interesting this time around, and the game communicated its intentions a lot better. The game still has a somewhat cumbersome interface and despite having a rather modest number of stages it recycles ideas a little more often than I would optimally like. Underland: The Climb isn’t a must-have by any means, but I think people who like poking at puzzles will be reasonably satisfied with what they get for their pocket change.

At the moment, it's a fun clone of Clash of Clans with great fanservice and idiotic AI. It has ever-increasing timers, premium currency, requires an online connection, and a bunch of other monetization tricks, just like CoC. If you hate that game, you're not going to have more fun here, but if you enjoy it and you like Star Wars, you're probably going to have a good time here in spite of its flaws.

As an inexpensive way to entertain yourself while chatting with a friend, Word Chat will more than do the job.

I suspect many people will be happy to see that LEGO Batman: Beyond Gotham has reverted back to the old style, and I think I'll go ahead and agree that it was probably the right call for this game.

Be warned: Kombinera is quite tough. It starts getting demanding fairly early on, and figuring out the trick to each stage and successfully pulling it off aren’t an easy matter even in the initial set of stages. Simply reaching the end is an effort in and of itself, and trying to complete all of the various additional objectives, target times, and achievements will take a lot of practice and patience. There are three hundred levels in all, making for a monster-sized puzzler. If that all sounds good to you, then you may enjoy this game at least as much as I did.

Capcom Fighting Collection is a pretty good collection of games, including some titles that we haven’t seen in these specific forms on home consoles before. It leans a little hard on the Darkstalkers games with some very slight variants that feel like they are padding the number out a bit. The overlap with other collections and my bad experiences with the online play keep me from recommending this too enthusiastically, but even with all of that taken into account, this is still worth picking up for fans of Capcom’s fighters.

If you have an iCade, I think this set is definitely worth it for the first two games alone, but otherwise, this one's really just for diehard Double Dragon fans. Everyone else should just celebrate by playing one of the hundreds of beat-em-up games on the App Store that only exist because Double Dragon blazed a trail more than 25 years ago.

As an interactive series of episodes you can watch, I don’t regret the time I spent here, and will definitely grab the soundtrack when it releases, but We Are OFK could’ve been more. Hopefully the team does release something else based on these characters in the future.

Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain follows the pace of its predecessors very closely. So much so that you wouldn’t realize there was a gap of nearly fifteen years between this installment and the last one. Like the previous games, it’s a fun distraction if you’re looking for a “brain training" game. Hardly essential, certainly light on things to do, but if you like this sort of thing you’ll likely get some mileage out of its new competitive aspects.

It's unfortunate that a crossover that seemed so odd when it was announced ended up being so very ordinary.

PixWing is utterly gorgeous, and the production values are fantastic. Seriously, I fell in love with the look of this game from the first screenshot I saw, and the fact that you get to dig in and explore the world is an amazing experience.

Slipstream has a lot to offer fans of SEGA’s old Super Scaler arcade games. It’s not shy about its source of inspiration, but it is dutiful in doing justice to that game. There are a variety of modes to play and sights to see. You can even play with friends in local multiplayer. Just be aware that the game plays like something from the time and place it pays homage to, so you very much have to take it on its own terms mechanically. Perhaps the biggest problem is that it never really manages to escape being one big reference and become its own thing. Even with that in mind, arcade racing fans likely won’t regret picking it up.

If you’re into the concept and come into the game fully aware that it’s very much a budget affair, I think you’ll have a good time with Metal Max Xeno Reborn. It doesn’t try to be more than it is, which is an RPG where you ride around a post-apocalyptic open world Tokyo in cool tanks and blow up weird mutated monsters. That’s either good enough for you, or it isn’t.

It could use a bit of tweaking and maybe a better level-skip function, but it's worth checking out for free.

If you're not particularly tied to the Waldo series, there are better hidden object games with more variety on the App Store, although few posses as much charm as Where's Waldo?.

Cyber Citizen Shockman 3 closes out this quirky trilogy on as high of a note as it can muster, and one that I suppose is appropriate given what came before. I think it’s the smoothest game of the three to play, but it’s a bit irritating that it more or less pushes out the interesting elements of the first two games in favor of a very plain design. Still, there’s just enough of that early 90s CD vibe here to carry what is otherwise a rather bland side-scrolling action game. If you’ve played the first two, you might as well see it through with this one.

There's not a lot of variety in the levels in terms of game-play, but it's a relaxing way to pass a few brainless minutes.

The physics and animation also look quite poor at times. Truly, this looks and sounds like a seven-dollar game in 2021. But it still plays well, and I found myself getting sucked into its simple pleasures once again. It may not be ahead of its time anymore, but there’s still something worth appreciating here.

Chrome Wolf is yet another Kemco-published RPG that falls somewhere in the crack between great and awful, making it a decent choice for hungry genre fans, but of little interest to anyone else.

100 Trials is still a good mission-based puzzler and worth checking out. Just don't expect anything particularly groundbreaking with it.

With a better online scoring system, Star*Burst would be amazing.

Mini Meteors isn't the most elegant or original game I've played, but it is a good take on gameplay that I haven't seen before on iOS.

Gamers looking for a novel twist on tower defense should definitely consider checking out Human Defense. While the uneven difficulty and IAP may turn off some, I enjoyed the successful melding of puzzle and tower defense.

1-Bit Rogue is a fun little pick-up-and-play title, but given the embarrassment of riches in the roguelite genre on iOS, it doesn't really stand out in any significant way. The controls can be a little fussy, and getting your character in shape for a proper run at the final boss involves a fair chunk of grinding.

The ongoing mystery of Poisonette and your own situation made for a compelling overarching plot, one good enough that I wanted to play through to the end in spite of the somewhat unimpressive mechanics.

But for all the flaws and inconsistencies with this game that I can point out, I struggle to put this one down. The concept is a ton of fun, and there's definitely some elements of a great game here.

These no-frills rereleases of the games are highly enjoyable in a vacuum, but when measured up against similar games in the genre available on the Switch, they feel lacking. If you’ve checked off the big-pants games in the action-RPG looter genre on the system and you don’t mind the price, then and only then should you consider grabbing Dark Alliance II.

Doctor Who: Legacy might not be a love letter to the series, but it's clearly in love with it. If you share that loyalty, there's plenty of fun to be had with the game.

Still, I give QuestLord a lot of credit for properly introducing me to a genre that I never really could get into. With a streamlined attribute and quest system, there's not a lot of depth that is traditionally found in other titles. However, it's for this exact reason that I think it succeeds for newbies like me. Assuming you're looking to give dungeon crawlers a try, I'd definitely recommend QuestLord as an introductory taste.

Revolution 60 would make a terrific animated movie, but as a game, I'm left a little cold by it.

While it may be too difficult for some, I enjoyed my time with Dual Survivor, as multitask-centric games don't come around too often -- just note that those of you who are willing to put in the time will definitely appreciate it a little more. I wish it had a bit more of a personality for sure, but the gameplay makes up for it and it's even more fun with a friend.

This is a pretty simple game-the high score chase is great, but there's not much else to it.

Running around without a head and with bombs for hands is far more fun than you'd think, and even if the game doesn't ramp up the challenge as much as most of its ilk, the total quirk and oddness of it all should make for an enjoyable experience for most.

Trinity Trigger would’ve been an easier recommendation had it been cheaper. This might be my favorite Furyu release since The Alliance Alive, and I recommend it for any fans of Secret of Mana who would like to play a game inspired by that classic, but the price point and paid DLC makes it a hard pill to swallow. Once it gets discounted, Mana fans should consider this.

I found the game to be a worthy twist on the Tetris genre; relaxing to play and engaging, with a compelling soundtrack and effects.

If you have a lot of patience, the atmosphere and unusual spin on familiar mechanics in RETSNOM might win you over.

General fans of the genre can find many better games to choose from simply due to how much of a sea change there has been since 2009 in this genre, and most of those choices are cheaper to boot. Those interested in playing a Rune Factory game would probably be better served checking out Rune Factory 4 Special or Rune Factory 5. That mainly leaves those who are interested in exploring the past, those who have devoured all of the other good farming games, and people with a lot of specific nostalgia for this entry. If you find yourself in one or more of those groups, then sure, you could do a lot worse than this.

If you find yourself missing the good old days of action-based Castlevania games or are a big fan of Touhou Project, you’ll likely find some value in Koumajou Remilia. It’s not as exciting now as it was back in the day, and the novelty of paying homage to Symphony of the Night is a ship that has well and truly sailed in modern times. The fundamentals are sound enough, and the boss battles assuredly bring the heat that you may find lacking in the stages leading up to them. There are better 2D action games on the Switch at cheaper prices, but few will scratch the Castlevania itch in exactly the same way.

It's a bit of a one-trick pony, but it does that trick very well.

At least Chromanoids is a good homage to those games in every other way, with stylish retro art, a campy storyline and good sound.

The look and feel of it screams cheap Flash game, but something about it makes it difficult to walk away from it.

Right now, I’d only recommend NBA 2K24 on Steam Deck if you skipped the last year or two of games. If you haven’t played these games in a while, NBA 2K24 runs and looks great on Steam Deck, and is a fun basketball game to play. The push to virtual currency in specific game modes definitely holds this back, alongside the lack of new modes and features on PC. Hopefully NBA 2K25 on PC will see it finally get the full feature set. Right now, I’d recommend NBA 2K24 more on Xbox Series X (or PS5) than PC, but the PC version plays great on Steam Deck if you’re after a great portable experience.

If super careful timing sounds good to you, then you're probably going to like this game.

It's a no-frills platformer that hearkens back to an era of simplicity, which comes with its own set of flaws and issues. But as someone who grew up during that era and has put up with worse, I could put up with those problems to find an interesting little surprise at the end of the tunnel.

In its current state with the visual issue caveat, I recommend TopSpin 2K25 if you really like tennis. It could’ve been better, but I’ve enjoyed the time I’ve put into it. I’m not sure if this will become a yearly series for 2K, but I’m glad to see TopSpin return. I look forward to seeing what future updates bring for the game.

While I’ll certainly say it’s still worth checking out, I feel like some minor tweaks could make it far more enjoyable.

As far as built-for-mobile action RPGs go, Reaper is worth every free second you have - if you find yourself enjoying what you see from the freemium period. The beauty of free-to-try is… you get to see for yourself. My job is then to tell you what comes after.

I don't think there's enough here to keep the interest of those who aren't fans of TMNT, but if spending a day or two bashing scores of Foot soldiers with the brothers sounds like a good time to you, Portal Power won't let you down.

There's plenty of content to play through, with 80 levels currently in the game and more coming in updates. Burn the Rope is definitely worth a look if you're interested in a unique puzzle game, and if you aren't afraid to spin your device around in public.

There's little creativity, but there's effective design. In a genre so saturated as TD, however, it takes both to stand out.

Swords & Arrows, like the game it pays homage to, is an easy-to-pick up, fun way to wage war with your friends, and it's quite welcome in my software library anytime.

Headland is worth considering if you’re looking for some simple monster mashing enjoyment, but don’t expect it to tax your skills or wits in any serious fashion.

Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance is a good port of a decent game from an era before we knew the blessings of even Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man. It can’t compete in most little ways and even a lot of big ways. But there is a purity to it, being from that era. It isn’t trying to sell you gems at every turn. It has no DLC or any intentions of such. No unlockable skins or guest characters. You can log in every day and you will have nothing extra to show for it. Here is the game. Here is the adventure. Here is the ending. Thank you for your ten dollars (Er, um, five dollars if you happen to catch its very-soon-after-release sale price–Ed). That’s kind of lovely, even if there are a lot of parts of it that aren’t. It might be the tonic you’re looking for right now, because we frankly don’t see a lot of things like this on mobile anymore.

Labyrinth Legend is one of those games that is nice to play when you want something relatively mindless to pass the time with. In that respect, it does what it does well. It’s engaging enough to keep you from getting bored, but it doesn’t demand a lot of heavy decision-making or tests of dexterity. The story isn’t very interesting, the setting is as generic as it gets, and I can’t really say it has any special gameplay mechanics to set it apart. This is not a game that will live in my memory very long now that I’ve completed it. But I can’t say I didn’t have a good time slowly digesting it over the course of a few evenings.

Gleamer doesn't aim too high, but as a result, it feels very grounded and straightforward, with a unique visual style to boot. You know exactly what you're getting into here, and the precision platforming holds up despite a few design flaws.

With more games this could be a must-buy for those of you have a friend to play with. Just temper your expectations.

The game marginalizes its one clever hook, but it's still clever! And I think that long-term, I can see auto-battling being useful for most people. I just can't get around that it exists and sinks a game I otherwise really enjoyed.

If you don’t mind a slower-paced puzzler, Gematombe might be of interest to you. Its fundamental rules and gameplay mechanics work well, the art style is vibrant and appealing, and it offers a lot of ways to play. Those looking for a speedier affair might find this one a little plodding for their liking, and its lack of any sort of online multiplayer or leaderboards also hurts it a little. Not bad for a first attempt, but I could imagine a sequel that builds on things and really takes it to another level.

While Feed Me Oil 2 is wrapped in a rather pretty package, it's still fundamentally the same game as it predecessor, and doesn't push the puzzle genre in any way. Having said that, if you loved the original, this one is a no-brainer.

Like a lot of endless games out there, Kayos doesn't break the mold or check any boxes than you'd typically see checked by the genre. It does, however, offer up an escape for a short while into a beautiful opaque world of sights and sounds.