No matter how different the results, every game feels pretty much the same, and that really cripples its long-term appeal.

The extra episodes may seem a bit steep, but relative to the size and cost of the initial game, they're more like built-in sequels, and there's certainly enough included in the initial package to keep you entertained for a while.

It's hitting all the Ace Attorney buttons, with a huge cast of crazy characters, engaging cases with lots of plot twists, and a funny, well-written localization propping it all up. I

I can genuinely say that I haven’t had such a good time playing a game from start to finish as I did with Kirby and the Forgotten Land in quite some time. It put a grin on my face from the start, and it kept me happily engaged to the very last drop. Then I pulled my son in and we played through everything again in multiplayer. It’s one of the better Kirby games, and deserves a place of honor among the upper canon of Nintendo Switch titles.

I can't help but feel that if this was made by any other developer, we really wouldn't care that much.

Difficulty aside, the only serious issue I've had with Bike Baron is the lack of a quick level reset.

This not your average, micro-stage mobile game. Thankfully, only a handful of stages made me wish there were checkpoints.

If you've been looking for a fun but challenging digital board game with a lot of depth and a great visual style, Antihero is the game for you. There's plenty of content to play through and clever strategies to figure out, and all of that is dressed in a lovely art style. Now go take out all those street urchins and take over the town; just know that you're in for a challenge and will have to plan carefully and execute at just the right time.

While I still prefer the original trilogy games overall, there’s no denying the sheer amount of quality and effort put into Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy. It makes the original trilogy feel like a very bare-bones release in comparison thanks to the amazing extras. The Great Ace Attorney games remain the peak of the franchise, but I adored Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney and enjoyed my time with Dual Destinies including its DLC and revisiting Spirit of Justice. Now we need a new entry. Come on, Capcom.

The two games in Ace Attorney Investigations Collection offer an interesting contrast, and taken as one whole I think it’s a great experience overall. Getting the second game localized officially is amazing, and the suite of options and extras make for an excellent package. With this, every Ace Attorney game outside of the weird crossover with Professor Layton is now available on the Switch. If you like the series enough to have picked those up, you’ll definitely want to grab this as well.

When the four-book work is finished, Sorcery! is likely to be one heck of an impressive gamebook experience. Inkle's groundwork is fantastic, making for an unusually vibrant piece of interactive fiction. It's a bit like a prologue at the moment, but every journey has to start somewhere. This one gets off on the right foot.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is excellent on Nintendo Switch, but it is sublime on Steam Deck. Aside from the Ubisoft Connect annoyance when you launch the game for the first time, I have no complaints with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown on Steam Deck. The current version also includes all prior updates that already improved what was a great game. I haven’t enjoyed the few Prince of Persia games I played after the original two much, but Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is superb and essential on Steam Deck.

The whole game is lovingly infused with retro style, from its pixel art to its music and sound, and that aesthetic carries over to the gameplay.

Turbo Dismount is a full fledged desktop sandbox game that feels like it had to shed a few pounds to fit into the iOS format.

Marvel Snap is an incredibly well-designed game. It’s perfectly suited to mobile thanks to how quickly the matches resolve, but the level of strategy is satisfyingly deep. The missions incentivize you to mix things up, and the steady stream of new cards ensures you’ll have plenty of options to choose from for such endeavors. The monetization is relatively low-pressure and the plateau point for free players is far enough down the road that it’s hard to call it unfair. I also love how well the cards represent the various heroes and villains in such simple terms, with the locations doing the same. The Snap mechanic is the brilliant cherry on top. A fantastic title, and one I can’t seem to leave alone.

I encourage everyone to give this game a try, even if you're a vigilant hater of free to play. Monetization methods aside, you'll still be able to see what a clever formula Supercell has stumbled upon to here with this hybrid of card games, strategy games, and MOBAs.

As long as you're okay with a well-paced adventure that doesn't let up from start to finish, you won't be disappointed with Hyperburner. It might not deliver as much extra junk as you're used to for a premium game, but it's engaging from minute one.

Tactics Ogre: Reborn is a excellent refresh of one of the all-time classics of the genre. Those who have any love at all for the genre owe it to themselves to play it if they haven’t before, and even those who have tried another version in the past will find enough improvements and differences to make it worth wading in again. A fine treatment of a game that only seems to get better with age.

If Pixelocity can find a way to streamline matchmaking and add a friends list, and possibly even a single-player component for offline play, then Disc Drivin' could be really huge.

This is my favorite racing game available for the iPhone. And the replay value is significant. Anyone who enjoys a solid, well-rounded racer - and offroad racing in particular - would be a fool to let 2XL Offroad Racing pass them by.

If you've got the patience to stick it out, though, Dice Soccer will give you more content than you can handle.

Another solid – though not groundbreaking – entry.

There's also an ongoing hunt for the secret of the Rainbow Dragon, the one missing breed. I haven't found one yet. Will you?

Chocohero is certainly not the only game of its type out there, but it's definitely one of the best designed. In addition to tight controls and well-designed levels, the art style and music are perfectly complementary (and, of course, super-adorable).

Visually speaking, Baseball Superstars 2012 is definitely the best-looking of the pack.

For the great physics tech and solid roster of features I have to say hats off to Skullduggery.

If you can stick with it and see it through, I promise the juice is worth the squeeze. If you're prone to moving on to the next game when you hit stubborn walls, I'm afraid you've probably got the wrong number here.

Momoka isn't the smoothest, or dare I say polished game ever. But its production values are just enough that they stay out of the way of the game's objective.

Do you enjoy “experiences” that transport you to another place even if what you’re doing there isn’t particularly challenging or long-lasting? Or do you prefer your games to be tough-as-nails and stressful, putting your brain and/or fingers through a gruelling workout? Like most people, I think I fall somewhere between those extremes. _PRISM is definitely more toward the first category, but I still found it absolutely delightful from beginning to end.

This is the Lumines I suspect most of us have always wanted on our iOS devices. It's a little light on gameplay modes and I'm not sure I could ever get enough skins to be satisfied, but Puzzle & Music nails the core gameplay and the exceptional aesthetics of the beloved series, and I'm not sure if we can realistically ask for more than that.

Overwhelmingly refreshing.

Just about the only flaw I have found with Deathsmiles isn't something that's the fault of the game itself, but rather it's an inherent problem due to actually controlling the game right on the touch screen.

Beneath the Lighthouse has a mesmerizing presentation coupled with easy to use controls and interesting levels.

UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys:Celes is a sublime fighting game with robust online, fantastic music, and deep gameplay. I’ve not even scratched the surface with some characters after focusing on a few since launch, but I adore just about everything UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys:Celes has to offer. I hope it does well enough so we can get crossplay eventually. There are updates planned and early purchases get the season pass free, but a chronicles-like story mode later on would make this package even better than it already is. In its current state, UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys:Celes is brilliant to play on Steam Deck, Switch, and PS5.

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.

I've been having a lot of fun with Spinzizzle, largely in part because it's often entirely possible to clear the entire game board at once, and figuring out how to do that is a really good time if you're a puzzle game perfectionist.

The simple gameplay in Tiny Wings is sublime, but there's an intangible aspect to it that makes it a total joy to play.

If you're any sort of JellyCar fan at all though, JellyCar 3 is easily the best one yet and is highly recommended.

It definitely feels like their most streamlined version of their formula so far, and comes strongly recommended if you haven't done the Kairosoft thing to death yet. But if you've had enough of the sim formula from Kairosoft you may want to give it a rest, lest you end up as burned out on it as I am.

There's always been something satisfying about match-3 mechanics, but after enough years playing them over and over they're bound to start feeling stale. Pixel Defenders Puzzle steps beyond that by taking something from a game that was already an excellent evolution of the genre and moving it forward to another, even-more satisfying level.

While it's a little on the short side and there isn't a lot of replay value to it, for the price the iOS version goes for, Yet It Moves is an easy recommendation for anyone who enjoys puzzle platformers.

Combined with the crazy visuals and the streamlined RPG mechanics and you have an impressive experience that is well recommended.

Retro City Rampage DX is without a doubt a well-made game, and one with some real high points to it. But there is that question of whether you should play it when the games it takes obvious inspiration from are available for about the same price.

My chief complaint about Golf Zero is that there isn't more of it. This is the kind of game I could play for hundreds of levels at a time, and although there is more content in the pipeline it couldn't come soon enough. The 40 standard levels won't take you that long to blaze through, but that's because they're so addicting to knock out in rapid succession. With a more forgiving ad system and some extra levels it would be even easier to recommend.

Hyper Light Drifter is still an essential for any fan of pixel art games or action RPGs. I have a few problems with the difficulty spikes when there are too many enemies near you, but still adore this game. If you missed out on it on other platforms for whatever reason, the iOS port is an absolute steal even without the pre-order discount. I’d recommend playing this with a controller but Abylight Studios has done an excellent job with touch controls if you are going to play it on your iPhone. Over three years since the game debuted on PC and there really still is nothing like Hyper Light Drifter on any platform.

Simply put, you owe it to yourself to check out Super Evil Megacorp’s latest masterpiece.

Whale Trail contains all the components of a hit iOS game – colorful visuals, catchy music, a cute main character, and gameplay that's easy for anybody to pick up but hard to master. But somehow, it manages to not feel forced or contrived.

While the lack of gyro support is disappointing, PowerWash Simulator is a very good conversion for Switch. The only downside is the long load times in its current state. Barring that, it is a fantastic way to experience PowerWash Simulator, and a perfect fit for portable play. I hope it gets a physical release in the future with all DLC content included and I’m looking forward to the Final Fantasy VII DLC pack. Out of all the “Simulator" games on the eShop, this one is special.

You might be tempted to skip Cut the Rope: Time Travel. It's just another sequel, right? Nope. Time Travel offers a unique twist on an already solid formula. It's an excellent time waster, one that every member of your family should enjoy.

Is Dead Cells well suited to being a mobile game? Personally, I think so, but I would also love to see games like Stellaris or Mirror’s Edge on mobile as well. Generally speaking, if the thought of using a controller to play a game on your iPhone or iPad is anathema, then this is almost certainly not the game for you. On the other hand, if that sounds like the greatest thing since sliced bread and goat cheese, you’re in the right place at just the right time. But, regardless of platform or what controls you choose to use, there’s no question about it: Dead Cells is an amazing game, and anyone interested in rogue-lites would be well advised to give it a shot at their earliest convenience.

I had a ton of fun with Sacred Odyssey: Rise of Ayden, and highly recommend any Zelda fan give it a try. You'll have a great idea of whether or not you want to continue by the time you hit the pay wall, and hopefully you're somewhere with connectivity so you can proceed past it.

If you own an iOS device that's on the supported device list (Basically, the iPhone 4S and newer.), particularly if you've got something recent, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is as must-have as it gets

Each of the controls can be customized further by dragging and dropping them on the screen to the desired location.

With its sharp and colorful visuals and classic gameplay sensibilities, Super Phantom Cat is a pretty perfect hybrid of the new and old.

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.

As a fandisc, Piofiore: Episodio 1926 is superlative. It goes above that and is more like a full sequel to the original game. While I can’t recommend this if you haven’t played the original, it is an easy recommendation if you did enjoy your time with Piofiore. I hope the few text issues can be addressed in potential future updates though.

If you had told me that an indie horror game would be on my top 10 games of the year a few months ago, I’d have laughed because of how good 2022 has been for JRPGs but here we are. Signalis is a shockingly good horror game that I recommend to any fan of the genre. It has a superlative atmosphere, stunning art, and an excellent soundtrack.

So seriously, go download Mage Gauntlet. The time you spent reading this review could've been much better spent playing this incredible game.

If you're coming into the series fresh right now, I think I would probably recommend Battle of the Bulge ahead of this game. If you enjoy that game's mechanics and are looking for a different scenario, Desert Fox is more than worth your time and money.

Dorfromantik is a pleasant game. It’s pleasant to look at, it’s pleasant to listen to, and it’s pleasant to poke at. The controls in this Switch version are a little awkward, and it’s clear the game wasn’t built for a controller interface, but they’re not so bad as to ruin the experience. If you’re looking for a very low-stress game to unwind with, Dorfromantik is just about the perfect ticket.

Offers yet another stellar entry in CAVE's series of iOS shooters. It's probably the most straight forward and least complex out of them all, which makes it a great starting point for bullet hell newbies, but it does have its share of depth for those looking to master its strategies.

People can and do split hairs about which Cave shoot-em-ups rank where, but I think there are two things that are generally agreed upon. First, even the worst of the classic line-up is excellent by the standards of the genre. It’s hard to go wrong with any of them, and Mushihimesama certainly won’t let you down in that regard. Second, Mushihimesama is one of the most beginner-friendly titles among a roster that often leans hard into the veteran player’s needs. It’s not surprising this latest initiative would lead with this particular game. It can be seen as a suitable gateway into the rest of this cherished developer’s works, and this Switch version does it every bit of justice it deserves.

If you like adventure games or just want to enjoy an interesting, well-written story with a pleasingly dark vibe, Beacon Pines will serve you well. It’s a thoroughly engrossing tale that pulls you in further the more you play it. Perhaps a little too substantial to explore in a single session, but you’ll likely find yourself wanting to see it all the way through in one go. Add in a superb presentation with gorgeous visuals and excellent narration, and you’ve got a winner.

Barring one annoying control issue I ran into on Steam Deck, Little Goody Two Shoes is a superb experience, and really timed perfectly given the season. The trailer and screenshots make it look great, but it really is on a whole other level in person on a good display. Not only does it have great art, voice acting, and music, but it also feels like the best modern take on an older-style horror adventure game. This is a game that deserves your time even in this busy release season.

Ok, it's basically the plot from the 1986 film The Fly mashed up with elements of Spiderman, but it works pretty well in setting up the story for Banzai Rabbit.

Simply a stunner in both execution and gameplay, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Mutant Mudds really has it all, and in terms of the slower-paced, exploration-based platforming games it's unmatched by anything else on the App Store.

If you're a fan of digging down into the depths and testing your mind with clever puzzles, this is a no-brainer.

Essentially, what Tin Man has done with The Warlock of Firetop Mountain is to transform the classic gamebook into a single-player role-playing board game, one that comes with its own colorful storyteller and several modules to vary the experience on multiple playthroughs. The presentation is sublime, the considerable amount of new content has been implemented carefully and respectfully, and the mechanical changes sand off some of the original gamebook's harsher edges. I would have been quite happy had Tin Man done their usual fine work on a straight conversion of The Warlock of Firetop Mountain (and that is indeed on its way), but this is something altogether different and more special.

It’s a great quick reprieve from the stresses of daily life, with reason to return time after time and a great reason to share your progress on social media with the photo booth. The paid No Ad option does seem expensive to still have to wait for honey, but that’s absolutely no deterrent from the title.

Crying Suns is an easy recommendation for those looking to experience tactical gameplay with a extra helping of dark scifi frosting and a glaze of mystery.

In its current state, Stacklands is a fantastic game held back by some interface issues on Nintendo Switch. If you have the option to play it with a mouse or touch controls on Steam, I recommend getting it there. The Switch version and the controller support in general for the game need a bit more work for the game to be an easier recommendation. Stacklands has definitely sent me down the Sokpop Collective rabbit hole and I’ve been checking out some of the team’s other games. Hopefully we see some more come to the console soon.

If you're looking for some arcade-style action that's deviates from the norm, I would definitely recommend checking out Wispin.

Great touch controls, fast action, amazing AI, intelligent level design, and an overall simplicity are all the reasons Trigger Fist has caused such a lapse in my productivity as of late.

The actual skating in Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2 has an absolutely timeless feel to it.

The actual game of Ascension is a somewhat refreshing spin on fantasy-based card games in that instead of building a specific deck that you use in battles, you're building your deck on the fly from game to game.

Knightmare Tower doesn't so much drastically wring minutes out of you as much as it quietly and neatly absorbs them.

Infernax just feels good to play. The mechanics are solid, and the fundamentals are done properly. You don’t have a massive array of moves and attacks to choose from, but what you have in your toolbox works well for handling the enemies you’ll be facing. Exploring the countryside took me back to my younger years wandering the mysterious world of Simon’s Quest, especially with the day-night element in play here. Those who enjoy exploratory 2D platformers and aren’t afraid of taking on one with a little bite should definitely play Infernax as soon as possible.

In its current state, Terra Nil is excellent, but it is held back by some bugs and glitches that required me to to replay specific portions of levels. It has a solid base for sure, and I look forward to playing it on and off over the coming weeks and months once patches arrive. I was already impressed with the concept and visuals in the reveal and demo, but I’m glad to see Terra Nil actually deliver in the final release. This is definitely an essential if you have a Netflix subscription despite the issues I ran into.

It's a beautiful, challenging experience.

Rocket Bunnies never completely grabbed me. It's a solid, even game that's good across the board that is never quite great. If you're looking for a new physics platformer, you certainly won't go wrong grabbing this one. It's not quite a universe of entertainment, but it's a galaxy or two for sure.

The control issues mentioned above, while frustrating, don't detract greatly from the rest of the game. Apocalypse Max is still a great hybrid of platforming and shoot-em-up elements.

I strongly recommend trying it, but do so knowing that as good as it is, it's all ultimately in service to the same basic principles every free social RPG runs on.

Frozen Synapse succeeds at bringing a beloved PC game to iOS.

When it works, it works unbelievably well - and with no asking price for those early, heart-pounding moments, there's absolutely no reason not to get this game.

With no need to spend any money, Leap Day is the perfect pickup for people who want to find a new platformer to warn them by the fire. Some levels are randomly better than others, but tomorrow is always another day.

If you followed along and vanquished every level in the original, you're going to have just as much (if not much more) fun playing through Geared 2.

At its core it is a lightweight port of the exceptional console title, so don't go expecting anything different if you've had your SF4 fill. On the other hand, it is amazing that such a game was ported to the AppStore in the first place and the simple fact that you can now bring Street Fighter 4 around in your pocket should be enough to sway many an eager button masher.

The art style is what drew me to the game, and it looks as good as I could have hoped. The whole thing has a layered paper craft aesthetic that's simply adorable. Everything looks hand-made: the backdrops, the monsters, the levels and even most of the interface elements.

If you're easily frustrated, Fractal may not be for you. But if you're up for the challenge and you aren't looking for your hand to be held, it's an outstanding experience.

With the interesting draining and upgrading mechanics, a striking presentation, and a surprisingly fair level of difficulty, Drainus stands out in a very competitive genre to offer a different kind of deal for players. While it isn’t directly comparable to the likes of Ikaruga in specific ways, I get the sense it will have a similar wider appeal to the one that game enjoyed. On the flip side, the lack of online leaderboards and lower emphasis on scoring mechanics might hurt the game with the hardcore fans of the genre. Overall, however, it’s an amazing effort with a lot of obvious thought put into its design that pays off handsomely.

What a game. This year has been superb almost non stop for great games, but Chants of Sennaar, like Cocoon, is mindblowing. While the stealth elements in Chants of Sennaar are annoying, everything else is amazing. If you have even the remotest interest in unique puzzle games, I urge you to at least try the demo. Chants of Sennaar is a work of art in its design, aesthetic, and experience.

In its current state, ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist in Steam Early Access feels more like a lengthy demo. What I’ve played is amazing and it absolutely shines on the Steam Deck OLED right from day one. I cannot wait to play more of it and see how it evolves through updates in the early access period. If you enjoyed Ender Lilies, ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist is essential already as long as you’re ok with the content included in the early access version so far. [Early Access Review]

A complete package, brought together by Gage's trademark use of cheerful colors, simple patterns and elegant typography.

Scurvy Scallywags bleeds the charm and personality of Ron Gilbert’s classics, and is something to appreciate in a landscape of games that often find themselves without an identity.

Don't let an unbalanced economy make you shy away from Shark Dash, though. Cracking a level's puzzle-like configuration is a real kick that comes wrapped in a fun theme, vibrant graphics, and, quite likely, the first and only time you'll ever root for a shark.

Touting leaderboards, special artifacts, and permadeath, there is a wide assortment of inspiring gameplay to keep any Apple device’s battery draining for hours.

Spider was an amazing experiment in storytelling; Waking Mars raises the bar on quality in long-form iOS games. Neither should be missed under any circumstances. Get this game. Whether you adore it as I do or not, it's worth experiencing.