It truly feels like a game that tries to do too many things at the expense of giving any one of those things the necessary polish. Still, everything is properly functional and the game certainly has its charms. RPGolf Legends isn’t a must-have by any means, but if you’re looking for something to tide you over while you wait for Sports Story, this will keep your belly full for a while.

I can safely say that if you enjoy roguelite action games such as Dead Cells or more intense examples like Spelunky, you’ll find a lot to like in Vagante. There’s a lot to discover in this game, and it never stops feeling dangerous enough to produce the tension that makes this genre work so well. It also has some great multiplayer options for those who want to tackle a game like this with that advantage and/or disadvantage. A well-rounded experience where you get all of the fun of building up a character and all of the thrills of narrowly evading instant-death traps. Give it a chance, and you’ll reap the rewards.

While the game doesn’t do a whole lot to shake up the formula and its story is going to be largely nonsensical to those unfamiliar with the somewhat vintage Record of Lodoss War property, the controls are tight, the pacing is brisk, and the map designs are strong. It’s a very pleasant Metroidvania experience, and the six or so hours it takes to finish go by in a flash. Those who love Symphony of the Night in particular will find this game wonderfully familiar in all the best ways. I doubt it will inspire many imitators of its own, but it’s very well-done.

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.

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.

In the end, Windjammers 2 is a return to the classic arcade experience in more ways than one. It’s a bit threadbare in terms of features, and you really need to pull in a friend to get the best out of it. You’re only given the barest of instructions, so you’ll have to either study up or learn on the fly. Put the time into learning it, and you’ll be rewarded with a truly thrilling game. Those who loved the original game can jump in without worry. The passion for the original game shines through brightly here.

Demon Gaze Extra takes a solid dungeon crawler, gives it a new coat of paint, and adds a little extra bits here and there to entice veterans to give it another go. I wouldn’t say that content is necessarily worth replaying the game for on its own, but those who haven’t played Demon Gaze yet will find a good, well-paced dungeon romp here. The story doesn’t really go anywhere that interesting, and those who don’t care for fan service will probably want to steer clear, but if what you crave is some dungeon RPG comfort food Demon Gaze Extra won’t let you down.

SNK Vs. Capcom: Card Fighters’ Clash was one of the most popular games on its console, and even now it’s easy to see why. It’s one of those games that gives back the more you put into it, and Code Mystics has done just about everything possible to make sure you can enjoy it to the fullest. Those curious about what the NEOGEO Pocket Color had to offer beyond its excellent fighting games will want to pick this up, and it goes without saying that card game fans should dive in on this one as well.

The gallery, presentation, and various options make this a more enjoyable experience than simply reading the actual book. As with most electronic versions of gamebooks it’s certainly more easier to thumb around and explore different branches, too. The whole vibe Tin Man has infused this game with matches perfectly with the words by North and art by his various collaborators. Exploring all of the routes, collecting all of the art, and just seeing what silly little things you can find make for an incredibly pleasant gaming experience, one with few games to compare to on the Switch.

In its current state, the Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition is only worth getting if you can get it at a large discount and assuming you’re willing to put up with many technical issues on Switch. While a lot of the major bugs I ran into have been addressed in patches, this is still nowhere near as good as it should be given how important these three games are to gaming in general. It also doesn’t help that the Switch patches are delayed compared to other platforms.

Puzzles don’t come much simpler or more traditional than the ones found in Unlock the Cat. Slide the stones to open a route to move the cat through the opening in the fence. It’s a Klotski puzzle in a cute skin. You get forty stages to play through, spread across four seasonal themes. The button controls work the way you would expect, and there is an appeal to this type of puzzle that is undeniable. The cat does add a little personality to the game, something that is sorely needed as most people have played a million of these things by now. That’s about the only new thing about it, though.

ESCHATOS is a fantastic shoot-em-up experience all on its own but when you throw in Judgement Silversword, Cardinal Sins, and the various extra modes and features included in this package, you end up with an incredibly easy game to recommend. Should you choose to fully indulge in all it has to offer, ESCHATOS will keep you busy for hours on end. Not that there was much doubt, but this Switch version of the game runs like a dream. Another superb addition to the system’s shoot-em-up library, and one that even genre newcomers may find digestible.

Life is Strange: True Colors is one of the better newer game ports in recent years on Nintendo Switch. In a lot of cases, there are big caveats to buying a newer third party game on Nintendo Switch. For Life is Strange: True Colors, there have been downgrades, but they are smartly done to preserve most of the experience and deliver an excellent portable experience. Life is Strange: True Colors has already seen further improvements following launch with a recent update. As the franchise’s debut on the Switch platform, Life is Strange: True Colors is just about everything I wanted from a port.

Apart from the watermelon theme, there’s nothing particularly fresh or unusual about Watermelon Blocks. Its 46 stages take a little too long to heat up, and the difficulty really only picks up in the last quarter of them. That last stretch has some decent level designs, and the game’s controls and collision detection work the way you would want them to. It’s a functional platformer, albeit a short and somewhat plain one.

The new content not only adds more stuff to the game, it also presents some interesting new experiences. It somehow raises the temperature on the excitement and tension even higher. Five dollars is a meager price to pay for such an impressive extension to Dead Cells.

Fans of rail shooters and Cotton should get what they want from it, but others may want to find better options for their action kicks.

Tunnel of Doom passes the time well enough, but it doesn’t do much more than that. While its blend of elements is interesting at first, it often undercuts its own ideas and ultimately ends up being very repetitive. Too many of the encounters can be handled with the same simple strategy, and it’s rare for the game to show any real teeth. A bit of story could have served as an extra carrot, but the game has little to offer in that regard as well. It’s worth taking a trip or two through, but it lacks the necessary elements to keep you coming back

Like a lot of Square’s output from this period, Legend of Mana is rather experimental. The end result is something that tends to be a love-or-hate affair, but at least in my case I find it hard to hate something so utterly genuine. If you’ve enjoyed other off-beat affairs like Romancing SaGa 2 or The Last Remnant, you’ll want to bring that same open-minded approach to this game. I think you’ll find something rather special here if you do.

If you enjoy puzzle platformers, you’ll have a great time with FILMECHANISM. There’s no grand story here, and its aesthetic is cute but not exactly stunning. But the gameplay is excellent, with a strong core mechanic to build puzzles around and level designs that fully deliver on that promise. It nails its difficulty curve perfectly, making it well-suited to newcomers to the genre and veterans alike. It’s just that simple.

Clockwork Aquario is a fun enough game, and it’s impressive that it was finally able to be brought together and released. I’m happy for that. But at the same time, I can see why the original publisher didn’t have a lot of confidence in it. It’s decent, but not much more than that. As a piece of history, however, it’s fascinating. If you are a fan of Westone, this era of arcade games, or just enjoy picking your way through the past, you might get some kicks out of Clockwork Aquario. Just make sure you know what you’re getting into.

What it adds up to is a fresh version of Asteroids with a few additions and alterations to keep things spicy for those who have exhausted the original while still retaining the core elements that made the game worth revisiting forty years later in the first place. Asteroids: Recharged is a great score attack game, but even those who can’t get into chasing those higher numbers will find enjoyment in clearing its tough set of challenges. Another solid success for the Recharged line, a series of games I’m increasingly finding worth paying attention to.

If you’ve not played Alien: Isolation before, the mobile version is phenomenal. It isn’t just a good value proposition with all DLC included at the low asking price of $14.99 compared to other platforms, but it looks and runs brilliantly even compared to the Xbox and PS4 versions. I know Feral Interactive is capable of miracle mobile conversions, but this Alien: Isolation is on a whole other level. Having tried it on consoles including the new Xbox Series X where it has an FPS Boost through backward compatibility, the iPad version with good headphones and an optional controller trumps all other console versions of the game. If you’ve been wanting to experience Alien: Isolation, this is a fantastic way to do so and one of the best iOS conversions ever.

The main problems in Twelve Minutes are to do with how annoying it gets experiencing the loops after a certain point. Powering through multiple loops and repetition for an amazing story would be fine, but Twelve Minutes falters even in its narrative. The finale and most of the endings here had some very off the rails twists that I didn’t expect. These will make or break your overall experience. This isn’t like Danganronpa V3 either, but genuinely confusing in some ways depending on what ending you get. I’d only recommend playing Twelve Minutes on Nintendo Switch once it gets discounted. This is sadly one of the few Annapurna Interactive games that didn’t blow me away like most of the publisher’s catalog.

I didn’t have any expectations of The Kids We Were when I went into it, but it turned out to be an extremely compelling game that I had trouble putting down until I finished. There’s a blend of tones here that probably shouldn’t work well together but somehow do. Romping around the streets of Kagami and getting to know its residents while solving mysteries big and small in service of a far bigger goal is quite entertaining. The voxel-style graphics may or may not appeal depending on tastes, but the story is well-written and the sense of nostalgia comes through clearly. If you enjoy narrative adventures, you should definitely give this one a look.

The Sam & Max adventure games are always a treat to play through, and Sam & Max: Beyond Time and Space is no exception. Skunkape Games has done a fantastic job spiffing this one up for the modern age, and if you told me this was a completely new release I would probably believe you. The Devil’s Playhouse is likely next, and I am certainly looking forward to it. For now, I’ll happily enjoy this wonderful remaster of a funny, enjoyable romp.

Loop Hero is as hard to put down as the finest of idle games, but with enough meat on its bones to make it feel like your input actually matters. It’s the kind of game that has something to offer no matter how much or how little time you have to throw at it, and one that will likely keep you coming back now and then to play again. While it isn’t the most challenging of affairs, it’s certainly engaging and full of enough surprises to keep your interest over the long haul.

If you’ve not played Monster Rancher before and are wondering if these new ports are worth your time and money, the answer is yes with a few caveats. While I’m pleased with the controls, visuals for the most part, and new features, these two games are quite dated. The asking price might turn some people off given the visuals and screenshots, but I’d definitely look into getting one or both of the games in Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX when discounted as a curiosity. For longtime fans, Koei Tecmo has done a good job of retaining the original aesthetic while implementing a nice compromise for the CD-generation system for monsters here.

It’s stylish, fun, and has plenty of gameplay modes to enjoy on your own or with other players. There’s value in this version beyond its Apple Arcade counterpart, and I think if you enjoy these kinds of intensely challenging arcade-style experiences you’ll have a good time here.

This is an impressive, feature-rich package. The game itself is an enjoyable slice of action, if not quite up to the level of the Metal Slug games that have seen mobile releases so far. It’s a promising start for Arcade Archives on the platform, and hopefully will lead to seeing some of the more esoteric NEOGEO games make their way over as well.

Alpha Mission II is hardly a must-have or a must-play, but a decent enough spin for the few bucks it’s selling for. If you enjoy classic shoot-em-ups, you’ll get a few thrills out of this. More importantly, it fits the mobile platform a lot more comfortably than its peers in the Arcade Archives line-up so far. The game plays quite well with the virtual controls, so even if you don’t have access to an external controller you can still have a really good time. If you want to see what these Arcade Archives releases are all about in the best possible light, this is the one to get.

Danganronpa Decadence is a good value if you’re looking to get into the Danganronpa series, packing in solid ports of three excellent adventure games and a mildly amusing spin-off. While these Switch versions aren’t as smooth or fully-featured as you might like, I would imagine most first-time players aren’t going to mind the few nicks and flaws. Provided you’re okay with the mature subject matter, these are games you really should play if you haven’t before. If you’ve already picked the Danganronpa games up on other platforms it’s harder to call this is an essential purchase, but those who have hoped for this series to hit Switch should be satisfied.

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.

I feel like a broken record at this point, but Live Wire has pulled off yet another fantastic Nintendo Switch port of an outstanding game. Shoot-em-up fans really should own all of these Cave releases from this developer, as they are easily among the best games in the genre available on the console. While DoDonPachi Resurrection is the last of the trio of titles announced by Live Wire a while back, I certainly hope it is merely the last of the first. I’ll take as many of these top-tier adaptations of legendary classics as these folks are willing to serve up.

Death’s Door is one of those nice combinations of a superb presentation and strong gameplay. The game could coast well enough on either of those points, but it hits them both and is excellent as a result. There’s nothing overly deep about the gameplay mechanics, and its brand of action is going to be familiar to most. The most impressive bits are the bosses, which require strong pattern recognition and good reflexes. The gorgeous sights and sounds along the way add tremendously to its atmosphere, doing their part to keep the player pulled into this unusual, compelling world. Action-RPG fans will certainly want to give this a go.

The presentation is nice, and it’s fun to see what kind of minigames will pop up at first. The bowling is functional and simple enough to enjoy for players of a variety of skill levels, and the game is indeed most enjoyable when played with a partner. Those flying solo will likely find there’s just not enough on the bone here. Even with unlockable characters and a variety of dialogues, Date Night Bowling starts to feel a little tired after a few games. There are no grand stories or longer goals to reach towards, making this game best suited for the occasional romp with a like-minded player.

I enjoyed Diamond and Pearl back in the day, I enjoyed Platinum a little while later, and I enjoyed Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl here and now. It hits the notes most would want from a Pokemon game, and with this being a remake and Legends being right around the corner, I think its conservative approach can be forgiven.

I enjoyed Diamond and Pearl back in the day, I enjoyed Platinum a little while later, and I enjoyed Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl here and now. It hits the notes most would want from a Pokemon game, and with this being a remake and Legends being right around the corner, I think its conservative approach can be forgiven.

If for some reason you haven’t played Final Fantasy V yet, you really should. Luckily, this is an outstanding way to do so. Give it a little time to sink its teeth into you, and you’ll find a compelling RPG that can easily hold its own against its more famous siblings. If you have played it before, then you probably know that this is one of the more replayable games in the series. What better excuse to play it again than this lovely version of the game? It’s worth another trip just to hear the new soundtrack, and you know you’ll have a good time along the way.

Barring a few issues, Cupid Parasite is another fantastic otome game from Idea Factory and one that is a great way to get into the genre if you’ve wanted more of a romantic comedy than the usual beats in otome games. I hope we get more otome games like this in the future.

Like many of this publisher’s other offerings, Shapeshooter is a fun action game that can occupy a lazy hour or two. You control a tank that moves along the rails of each stage, taking out the enemies that you meet along the way and avoiding various traps. You have two different colors of shots, and you’ll need to match them to the appropriate enemies. There are power-ups that will give you extra weapons, and rings you can pick up to buy permanent upgrades for your tank. It’s not the most exciting of affairs, but for the meager asking price it delivers well enough.

There are some minor technical issues too, but nothing outside of the ordinary as far as Switch ports go. It’s worth a punt for genre fans for its creative ideas and lovely visual style alone, but the Switch may not be the best place to enjoy it.

With all the different combinations of modes and stages, you’ve got 160 unique situations to play through. That isn’t even getting into the idea of improving on your scores, which is certainly something most fans of the genre will want to get into. It all runs at 60 frames per second, and the controls are incredibly responsive. Sure, it’s not much to look at compared to other games of this genre, but when it comes to sheer gameplay it’s really hard to beat what rRootage Reloaded offers for its highly reasonable price.

Abarenbo Tengu & Zombie Nation gives a fairly good treatment to a game you wouldn’t expect to see receive any love. In spite of the title, this is just a single game with two regional variants on offer. But it is such a bizarre game that it’s worth experiencing just to see what happens. From a gameplay point of view it’s not of the highest quality, but it isn’t bad either. In terms of content, design, and mechanics, it is extremely unusual for a game of its vintage. I think it’s more for the curious spelunker of history than those looking for lost treasures, but I’m glad it exists.

I’d probably be more excited about Chess Brain if there weren’t already so many games of this type on the eShop. As it stands, having to plan out your full route at once is something different but not really enough to keep the game from feeling very familiar. How much of a problem that is comes down to the individual, but if you’ve gotten your fill of chess puzzles, this one probably won’t change your mind. On the other hand, if you’re just looking for an evening’s worth of light brain teasers that won’t break your piggy bank, you will likely be pleased with what Chess Brain offers.

In most respects, Gynoug is a rather plain horizontal shoot-em-up. The art design and music elevate it somewhat, but it’s hard to imagine a more meat-and-potatoes mechanical experience. For its part, Ratalaika Games has done a nice job of presenting the game with this offering. You’ve got all of the expected options, and a few more besides that. If you’re looking for a good way to play Gynoug/Wings of Wor, this will assuredly satisfy your needs. For those completely unfamiliar with the game, it’s a decent enough shooter, though I can’t say that it’s much more than that.

If you’ve somehow managed to come this far without playing Star Wars: Knight of the Old Republic, you’ll definitely want to dig into this. It’s a great port of an all-time classic RPG, one that handily stands the test of time. For Star Wars fans, it may well serve as the same oasis now that it did back in 2003. Even those who have played the game before may find a return trip worth embarking upon, particularly with how nicely it plays on the Switch.

If you skipped Where Cards Fall on Apple Arcade, it is a fine experience on Nintendo Switch. While the lack of touchscreen support is very disappointing, I like the controller scheme in place, and the rumble feedback is also appreciated. Where Cards Fall is a lovely puzzle game that could’ve been better without some of the slow cut-scenes. I get that they are part of the intended experience, but I feel like they’d have been better without any interaction as just movies in between the levels.

Ultimately, Blue Reflection: Second Light is another high-quality effort from Gust. Its unique setting, strong character work, and attractive presentation are the highlights here, but it doesn’t outright drop the ball in any categories. If you’re looking for a cozy, low-stress RPG to spend some time with, Blue Reflection: Second Light makes a compelling case. Those who, like me, caught on to Gust with the Atelier Ryza games will certainly want to check this game out. It has many of the same charms, but with enough differences to make it stand on its own.

Shin Megami Tensei V represents a bold new step forward for the venerable series. While I suspect some long-time fans may be put off at just how many changes are on the table, I think Atlus has done an impressive job of retaining the elements that made the previous games work while injecting ambitious new ideas that make for a truly fresh take on the genre. The complexity and difficulty may turn off some newcomers, but this latest entry gives players more tools than ever for overcoming the many challenges contained within. I wish the story had been equally enterprising, but it’s a small (and highly familiar) flaw on an otherwise fantastic game.

Games of this sort tend to be love it or hate it affairs, but I will say that as far as isometric action-adventure games go, Heads Over Heels is very good. Sure, the usual frustrations apply. It can be hard to judge depth and distances, and basic controls take some getting used to thanks to the camera view. There is a lot of trial-and-error involved in the puzzles, and you have limited lives to work with. It can be incredibly vexing. But the puzzles themselves are well-designed, and the bizarre universe the characters inhabit is fun to explore. I don’t typically get into games like this, but I had a decent time with Head Over Heels.

I’m not the biggest fan of The Immortal, but I know it has its fans and they should be pleased with this release. The two versions of the game have many differences, so having both of them included here is nice. You get a standard set of options for each game, including save states and video options. The emulation is good, though NES and Genesis emulation isn’t exactly the most challenging of feats at this stage. Those without any existing attachment to The Immortal will want to tread carefully, as the game certainly shows its age. Those who have happy memories of dying, dying, and dying some more in this game back in the day should grab this set immediately, though.

While not the most unique of affairs, Milli & Greg offers a reasonably substantial and enjoyable slice of platforming fun for a very competitive price. You get plenty of well-designed levels to play through, solid enough controls, and a decent presentation. If you enjoy your challenging single-screen platformers, you’ll probably have a fine time with Milli & Greg.

You’ll have a particularly good time if you can get some friends to play through it with you, though it never quite takes wing the way you might hope. It’s no Left 4 Dead, but as that series has yet to make its way to the Switch, I suppose it doesn’t have to be. It just needs to offer some enjoyable multiplayer undead carnage, and I suppose it handles that well enough.

While I would have liked to have seen a couple more boards, the amount on offer here is quite substantial in all other regards. Just keep in mind that this is indeed a throwback, so those looking for a more novel take on Mario Party will probably want to look into Super Mario Party instead.

There are a few bugs present, and some of the settings don’t work at the moment. The game also lacks any language options for the in-game text beyond the original Japanese, though a patch is apparently on the way that will add the usual set of languages. It’s an okay version of an okay game, but not much more than that.

DUSK is an amazingly authentic ode to the old kings of the genre, and it’s as fiendishly fun as it is filled with carnage. This Switch port is virtually flawless, allowing you to enjoy this game in a pure, uncompromised form. I’m always skeptical of recommendations about this sort of game, as I often find they don’t quite measure up in one way or another. DUSK? It had me from hello and kept me all the way through to the bitter end. Then I started it up all over again just to have another ride on this ridiculous roller coaster.

Dungeon Encounters is not going to be for everyone. It’s not even going to be for most. But if you relish the idea of a challenging, no-frills dungeon crawl with a familiar yet slightly novel battle system, a game that cuts the genre right down to its gameplay skivvies? This is it. I can’t imagine a better realization of such an objective, no matter how niche a target it may be. Maybe if it had better music. Just be warned that the game may well bring you closer to spiking your controller than you’ve been in a while.

When Animal Crossing: New Horizons released around the time people were going into lockdowns across the globe, a lot of people praised the way it helped people. Unpacking is exactly that for me right now with so many long games and deadlines. It has been a perfect game to dip into as a break from longer and more stressful games. While the gameplay might be too simple for some, Unpacking has managed to make something as mundane as arranging furniture and items be a lot of fun. It also helps that Unpacking on Nintendo Switch makes great use of the system’s features.

The writing is sharp, the situations are amusing, and there’s a certain primal appeal to saying no to people. There are multiple endings, so although each playthrough is rather brisk, there’s quite a lot to see here. If you like the concept, you’ll probably like Negative Nancy.

There are tons of new power-ups, a new mission mode that tasks you to complete various challenges, local co-op play for all modes, and online leaderboards for just about everything. You also have a new ability that you can charge up that allows you to take out a bunch of enemies at once. The vector-like stylings of the Recharged line are a perfect fit for Black Widow, too. It’s the best Recharged game so far, and an enjoyable twin-stick shooter in its own right.

The action is quite familiar to anyone who has played a few games of this genre before, and the game suffers from a few pacing issues that are made worse by how straightforward it tends to be mechanically. Still, that does little to diminish how excellent the game is overall. The strength of its main characters and the desire to see just what is coming next makes Eastward a very tough game to put down.

Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water should please fans of the franchise who missed out on the game due to its previous Wii U-exclusive status, but not everyone is going to be pleased with some of its clunkier elements. While you aren’t helpless enough to make the game as terrifying as it could be, it’s certainly an unsettling and fascinating experience with plenty to offer those who want a hearty meal of fear on their Nintendo Switch system.

If you find you can’t get into dungeon RPGs, Undernauts probably won’t change your mind. But it is a very good game, one that will likely please the taste buds of most dungeon-delving enthusiasts.

If you’re craving an Etrian Odyssey-like experience on Nintendo Switch and like the aesthetic in Mary Skelter Finale, you will have a lot of fun with it. While it doesn’t push the envelope like Mary Skelter 2 did compared to the original, Mary Skelter Finale is a competent and quality DRPG for Nintendo Switch. It also helps that the Western release has a lot of free DLC available further building on the characters. This is easily one of Compile Heart’s best games.

The Sundew has an incredible world and a rather complicated story, but it feels like it’s rushing the entire time. When the end of the game comes, it feels too sudden and lacking in satisfaction. It holds its end on the gameplay front, but it’s quite ordinary in that regard. But the story and setting are the brightest lights in this game, and the brevity simply doesn’t allow either of them to shine.

There’s a lot of emotion in the game’s couple of hours, and I think its appeal entirely hinges on whether or not the situation and the struggles the characters face resonate with you. Personally, I couldn’t relate with a lot of it, but I could at least appreciate its sincerity. If nothing else, it’s a well-made window into a difficult time in the lives of two people.

If you’re just here for the excellent action stages, you can just do the minimum for the music bits and it will be fine. On the other hand, if you like the musical end of things, you’ll likely be satisfied with the audio and music-making portions of the game. Monomals is a clever little game, and that’s as true on the Switch as it was on Apple Arcade.

If you love Into the Breach, you’ll want to give this a look. It has a similar vibe, and even if it doesn’t hold up in the long term quite as well, you’ll still get plenty of fun out of it.

The story nudges this one just above being a thoroughly average RPG. It explores some interesting topics and themes that I haven’t seen many other games attempt to address. By contrast, the gameplay is so average it could have fallen out of a kit. I suppose the key thing is that it’s not bad to play, so if you have room on your plate for an RPG with bland mechanics but a good plot, you’ll want to check out The Caligula Effect 2. Just make sure you either play the first game or read up on its story and characters before you dive in.

Sadly, the nasty input lag that permeates the three games in this set does its whammy here, too. This is an intensely challenging game that already had a bit more lag than it should have on the Saturn, and the extra helping thrown on top of this Saturn Tribute takes a must-have down to a solid maybe.

Unfortunately, the massive amounts of input lag leave the game feeling unresponsive, which adds a layer of frustration that Cotton 2 certainly didn’t need. It doesn’t make the game unplayable by any means, but it hurts the playability whenever the action gets hot. There aren’t many options for playing this game at a reasonable price, so I don’t blame anyone for choosing this one. I just wish the emulation had been better handled.

The games are fun and this collection is appreciated in principle, but it’s hard to recommend in its current state.

Mon Amour isn’t the most complicated or lengthy of games, but it has more depth and heft to it than you would initially assume. If you enjoy score chasing, you’ll especially find a lot to chew on here. Like a classic arcade game of old, it takes simple mechanics and gives you enough to do with them that there ends up being a wide range of scoring possibilities. Take that and wrap it all up in the usual quirky Onion Games charm, and you’ve got a real winner.

Techland not only ported Dying Light to Switch well, but also added touchscreen support for menus and motion controls. In terms of features, this is one of the best big game conversions I’ve seen for Switch and it would be great if we actually saw more publishers and developers put in this much of an effort into their ports. While the Nintendo Switch version isn’t as good as other platforms in almost every way on a technical level, it is absolutely worth getting if you’ve wanted to experience the game and want it portable or only have a Nintendo Switch.

I can see some people getting bored of this very quickly considering there isn’t any in-game goal or progression barring what you build and want to see yourself. After seeing so many screenshots of gorgeous things my friends made, I’m glad to finally have a perfect version of Townscaper on my iPhone and iPad. While iCloud sync would’ve been great to have, there is a workaround and everything else in this conversion is exactly what I wanted. If you held off on getting Townscaper on PC or Nintendo Switch, the iOS version is definitely worth it. If you already own it elsewhere, you will likely enjoy it a lot more on iOS thanks to the added control options and ease of access.

It’s easy to pick up, but the puzzles get quite tricky as you go. Nothing we haven’t seen before, but it’s well-made and wrapped up in an attractive presentation.

If you’re on the hunt for another crafting/survival game and dig low-fi vibes, you might want to give Nira a look. A mysterious talking totem pole dishes out quests to complete, and you have to go forth and do whatever needs to be done in order to gain experience and level up. The game is played from a top-down perspective where you explore procedurally generated islands. Gather resources, battle enemies, and craft to your heart’s content. It seems very simple at first, but it ends up being surprisingly complex. As an affordable alternative to the likes of Terraria and Minecraft, I think it has a place.

Whether you want to experience a heretofore hard-to-obtain classic or just like quality shoot-em-ups, Gleylancer is an excellent choice. Ratalaika has done a nice job providing quality emulation and a strong suite of features for this release, and the new modern mode really does provide a distinct feel from the included original. It’s well-worth picking up, providing an excellent value relative to other retro re-releases on the Switch.

The photography element is the best part of the game, and even though you don’t get a whole lot of specific feedback on your shots, it’s entertaining to try to take shots that will get a lot of virtual social media attention. A great game? No, but not without its charms.

Antonball Deluxe includes a few different games that revolve around a similar theme, and they’re all reasonably fun. The multiplayer game, Vs. Antonball, can be a riot with the right bunch assembled. If you enjoy your brick breakers, you may want to give this one a look. On the other hand, if you find this type of admittedly vintage gameplay to be old hat Antonball probably won’t change your mind.

Underland is an okay puzzle platformer, but it doesn’t have a lot of new ideas and it really hurts the game over the course of its thirty stages. I ended up relying on a lot of similar strategies, and everything moved a lot slower than I would like. If you’re in the right mood, I could see it being a nice way to spend a lazy afternoon, but you can probably find many more interesting things to play on the Switch.

A person could buy Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for just a little more money, and unless they’re a Nick fan, they probably should. But if you already have Smash and are looking for something else along those lines, this is a good pick-up.

Barring the performance and crashing issues, Disco Elysium – The Final Cut has been adapted to the Switch really well with smart compromises and great tweaks to the interface and controls. My concerns about the UI and text were all put to rest after I launched it and played for an hour. If the technical issues can be addressed, this will be my favorite version of the game by far. It also has me very optimistic about a potential iPad port which likely wouldn’t have these issues.

It takes a lot of risks in service of creating its specific feel, but as long as you’re okay with having conventions challenged within a conventional framework, this should be an easy pick-up.

It’s not unplayable or anything, and the battle system can sometimes be quite engaging. But it isn’t something I would really recommend to anyone either unless they have a lot of time on their hands and have already exhausted better options.

Rainbow Billy isn’t the most difficult of games, but its clever combat and compelling structure kept me engaged through the course of the surprisingly lengthy adventure. The exploration and puzzles are enjoyable, figuring out how to defeat each enemy is amusing, and there are a lot of collectibles and secrets to track down. The writing is solid but can feel excessively positive at times, which I understand is an odd complaint. Still, even if the cloying prose doesn’t do it for you, there’s enough going on here in the gameplay department to make it worth your while.

Tetris Effect: Connected takes what is basically a perfect game whose only drawback is how familiar it is and recontextualizes it with a jaw-dropping presentation and some interesting new modes. I’m aware that the Nintendo Switch has a lot of great ways to play Tetris already, but I think this game does more than enough to justify itself in the face of those. It’s probably not going to convince anyone who doesn’t like Tetris, but apart from those six people it’s hard to imagine anyone being disappointed with this game.

It’s a welcoming entry point into the series, an exciting if often cheesy roller coaster ride, and on the whole a game that somehow makes you fail to notice its flaws because its strong points are so strong. Moreover, it’s different enough that I think even owners of the existing mobile version of Final Fantasy IV will find it worth grabbing.

Death’s Gambit: Afterlife makes a number of additions and improvements to the base game, while maintaining the qualities that earned it a lot of fans on other platforms. The combat is fun and deep enough to keep you engaged, and the platforming and other action elements are well-handled. I also really enjoy the game’s presentation, with some excellent pixel art and great audio. On the whole, it doesn’t venture too far outside of the increasingly established lines of this particular sub-genre, but it does everything it does well enough that it should be of interest to anyone who enjoys 2D Souls-likes.

As an overall package, Hot Wheels Unleashed is better than you might have expected. It does its license justice, and the racing action is more than competent. I’m not really a fan of how much luck plays a role, in terms of what cars you get from the Blind Boxes, in how well you’re able to tackle the campaign. If you get bad pulls, grinding for more chances can take forever. I also feel like some of the longer courses are a little too long, running for several minutes in some cases. Again, there is a big update coming very soon and likely more to come in the future, so some or all of these points could eventually be fixed. I can only review what is in front of me, and that’s a game that is quite good but with its fair share of flaws.

The game has a lot of points to make about morality, and it never feels like it’s preaching. Rather, it comes off like a thoughtful examination of assumptions and the limits of social mores. The city may be forgotten, but this tale isn’t so easily put out of mind.

Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania retains the core appeal of the series: cute ball-encased monkeys rolling around devilishly challenging stages at high speeds. It ventures just far enough from the specifics of the original games to be considered a truly faithful remake, but those who aren’t intimately familiar with those games or are willing to adapt will find an amazing wealth of aggravating appeal and ridiculous stunts. It’s a great place to get acquainted with the series if you haven’t before, with plenty to offer veterans looking for something closer to the mark than the likes of Banana Blitz.

If you’re looking for a carbon copy of the original game with an improved presentation and nothing else of significance added, I’m afraid you may not like Actraiser Renaissance. This isn’t that kind of remake, and I personally don’t think it should have been. But if you’re fine with something with the flavor of ActRaiser, with the essence of the original but also a personality of its own, I think you will like this game. It has its flaws, particularly in its visual presentation, and some of its new ideas could use a bit more hammering out. But it, like the game it is based on, is a rather unique game that pulls you in powerfully the more time you spend with it. There isn’t a whole lot like this out there, and it’s handily better than other homages like SolSeraph. And hey, that incredible music sure doesn’t hurt.

At first, the Switch version seems fine enough. A clear visual downgrade, but it’s all running reasonably smoothly. But once you start getting to busier battles, more crowded areas, and situations with more chaos, everything comes unglued. The framerate flies all over the place, which is bad in a game whose chief combat gimmick is timed dodging. It hitches up at times, and flatout stops in the middle of the action to do whatever. I recognize the technical challenges in realizing this port on this hardware, but if this is the best that could be mustered, it perhaps should not have been done. We’re left with a heavily troubled port of a rather middling game, and I don’t know that filling in the story gaps is worth dealing with that.

Centipede: Recharged is an interesting variation on the familiar game, and while it lacks some of the progression elements of Missile Command: Recharged, it makes up for it with extra modes and a more solid arcade feel. I do wish the standard gameplay mode used the lives system of the original, awarding extras for reaching certain score thresholds. Apart from that, the worst thing I can really say about this is that I don’t think it’s better or sufficiently different from the original, making it feel somewhat redundant if you have access to that game through whatever means.

G-Darius HD is a full-featured port of a terrific game, and a great way to experience this classic for the first time. The capture ball mechanic and beam dueling add some fun twists to the familiar mechanics that just about anyone can appreciate. Just keep in mind that this is still a Darius game, and as such will not go easy on you. With all of the options and extras included in this version at your fingertips, you just might be able to pull it off.

On the whole Diablo II: Resurrected still has enough of the old magic left in it to be worth playing today, twenty years later. Thankfully, the developers realized that and largely left things untouched. Most of what has been added is optional even if you don’t find it welcome, and beyond that the only troublesome new bits are a few bugs that will hopefully be fixed. The online/offline character business may cause headaches for those who like to play both on the road and with others, but beyond that I have trouble finding many nits to pick with this remaster.

Some of its new ideas could use a bit more hammering out, and I’m not sure it needed as much expanding as it has received. But it, like the game it is based on, is a rather unique game that pulls you in powerfully the more time you spend with it. There isn’t a whole lot like this out there, and it’s handily better than other homages like SolSeraph.