If you had a good time with Sorcery!, I probably don't even need to tell you to buy this

A note on in-app purchases: the free, ad-supported version of Beastie Bay is robust and enjoyable and, as far as I can tell, in no way different than the paid version. $4.99 strips the game of advertisements and lets players use their iDevice's portrait mode. Portrait mode is, admittedly, the superior way to play Beastie Bay, but there's an inordinate amount of well-designed, well-executed fun to be had for free.

If you want to play first person shooters on your iOS device, Modern Combat 3: Fallen Nation is a must-buy game, so start making room for it.

"Different" is the perfect way to sum up what Z-Exemplar offers. Whether you've been gaming up to and all the way through the 1983 crash or your first console was the Nintendo Wii, the thrill of blowing stuff up and gathering power-ups is universal.

I feel like Warbits could have taken some risks, tried to do some things that were more than just trying to ape Advance Wars.

I don't typically love turn-based strategy games, but Rimelands had me hooked almost instantly.

Ib does a lot with its limited set of characters and scope. If you enjoyed games like Corpse Party, Ib will fit right in with your tastes. Following its freeware launch back in 2012, it is great to see the game come to a console for the first time. 2023 has been a really amazing year for the Switch, but don’t let Ib slip past in that crowd. It is one of the best adventure games I’ve played in a while, and a joy to play on the go. Even given my general disinterest in horror, I had trouble putting it down until I finished it.

I already thought Peglin was fantastic even in its early access state. While some balance issues hold it back a bit, it is an essential on Switch if “pachinko x roguelike" sounds good to you. I also love that the developers made full use of the Switch hardware features by adding good rumble, full touchscreen support, and button controls making it so that you can play however you want. Now we just need a physical release.

It has the standard array of features: singleplayer, multiplayer, customizable controls with external gamepad options. But with the addition of online multiplayer along with a game that's deep but accessible, I highly recommend checking this out. Get your feet wet, and then prepare for a beating.

If you have a few hours and an axe to grind against angry tortured spirits, embrace the panda. There is a chance you won't hate it, instead, like me, you might actually really enjoy it.

Give Deep Loot a little time to sink in, and I think you will be suprised at what you can bring out of it.

This isn't exactly a relaxing puzzler, this is more of a test of your skill and thought processes. It's not for everyone; if you're into being mentally tested to your limit to solve some puzzles with unique rule sets, this game is perfect for you. Causality is absolutely brilliant. But, because it's difficult with its own rules, solutions can feel arcane and tough to come by, too. And thinking when time isn't linear can be tricky, too! Causality is a fantastic game, one I've enjoyed my time with, even if it has left my brain a gooey mush. If you have the patience and the knack for time-bending puzzles, check it out. Even if it doesn't sound like it's up your alley, do consider it, at least!

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 enjoy Pokemon Snap and Amanita Design games, Penko Park feels like a lovely blend of both with its own unique charm that will keep you coming back for more as you inch towards 100% completion. While it may seem repetitive on paper at first, the developers have done a great job of throwing unlocks at you as you explore the different locations trying to grab secrets, photograph the eclectic creatures in different positions, and fill up your guidebook.

In the end, however, Shin Megami Tensei is easily one of the best RPGs we've seen on the iOS platform yet, and it deserves your attention in spite of some of the flaws specific to this port.

So there you have it. Impossible Road is an impossibly hard, impossibly addictive and impossibly impossible game.

Those who enjoy a good narrative adventure will want to consider picking up Citizen Sleeper. It’s a very humble game in a lot of ways, but there’s plenty to dig into here if you give it a shot. The range of choices allowed me to feel like I had some agency over my character and their new life, and the dice mechanic added a pleasant random element to keep things interesting. A very cool slice of cyberpunk storytelling.

It's beautifully suited to mobile, however, with customizable controls (swipe or tap) and perfectly bite-sized play sessions.

Takes iOS platforming and "one button" gaming in a direction I'm amazed no-one tries to do more often in touch screen gaming.

Platformers on iOS need to have something very interesting about them in order to get noticed. To make matters more difficult, they also need to execute the basics without issue. The Big Journey succeeds on all these fronts with a gorgeous adventure about a colorful kitty. I had a great time leading Mr. Whiskers on his journey and I'm sure you will too.

IAP grievances aside, Super Stickman Golf 2 is a fun and compelling puzzler, and a steal at only a buck.

If you're a fan of Japanese history, as I am, you are sure to have a soft spot for this one.

Whatever the case, I'm going to go ahead and say this is the best LEGO experience on iOS to date, and if you have a problem with that, you can take it up with the wookiee.

I had no expectations at all going into TinyKin, but as soon as I started playing it, I was sucked completely into its world. The area designs are fantastic, encouraging you to root out and collect everything while presenting you with enough options that you never need to bang your head against any one thing. It also has a very charming presentation. The choice of using 2D sprites for the characters takes a little adjustment, but once you do? This is one of the better games in this genre you can find on the Switch.

There are some particulars of OneShot I would prefer not to discuss because this is indeed one of Those Games, but I think just about anyone who enjoys the adventure game genre will fall for OneShot‘s charms. It’s a clever, immensely likeable game that is metatextual without being obnoxious about it. You’ll almost certainly want to replay it immediately after you finish it, and that’s the mark of a pretty awesome story and game in my books. It has made the transition to Switch as well as it can to any non-computer platform, and if this is where you happen to play it, I think you’ll have a fine time.

It has fantastic production values, amazing graphics, brilliant controls, and a solid set of well designed levels to play through.

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.

Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is an excellent remake, but not one to be taken lightly. In a change from Digital Eclipse’s usual documentary approach, this remake simply offers the original game with a fresh lick of paint and a few new optional features to make it more convenient (not easier!) to play. This is, at its heart, the same merciless dungeon crawling RPG it has always been. Whether that’s a challenge you want to tackle in the modern age is up to you, but there’s no better way to do so than through this fine effort.