There are a lot of clever ideas in this game, but the game exhausts most of its tricks well before it ends. I think it’s still worth playing, provided you enjoy RPGs to begin with. It’s just unfortunate that a game that blasts out of the gates with such vigor ends up so flat in its closing hours. Add in some technical issues specific to this version, and you have a real hit-or-miss affair.

Even with its flaws, Within the Blade is a solid 2D stealth game that pays homage to classic ninja games while also doing a bit more towards the actual concept than most of those past hits ever attempted to. The pixel art looks slick, the mechanics are enjoyable to learn, and the overall game is a really good time. While the stages can get a little dull in their layouts and the story doesn’t really go anywhere interesting, the moment-to-moment action makes this one well-worth picking up for ninja fans looking for their next shadow dancing partner.

An easy recommendation for those who love Cotton and a solid recommendation to shoot-em-up fans in general, Cotton Reboot is a great return for a character we’ll hopefully be seeing more of soon.

Clap Hanz Golf in its current state will feel a bit grindy after you’ve played for a good amount of time and just want to unlock everything that’s left. Despite that, it is definitely worth your time and I hope it continues to get regular updates in the future with maybe even a real-time multiplayer mode.

At the end of it all, it just feels like there isn’t enough here to enjoy. Throw in some slightly clunky controls and it’s clear there are better ways to scratch your jigsaw itch on the platform.

The enemy variety just doesn’t create a lot of interesting scenarios, and all the quirky arena layouts don’t do a lot towards that end either. The more I played, the less I wanted to. Still, there is some fun to be had here if you explore all of the modes and can forgive how similar every session feels.

World’s End Club is an odd thing. It feels like it’s trying to tell a more family-friendly version of the now-common Death Game tale, but in doing so a lot of the tension and fascinating character work is tossed to the side. I like a good twist in a game, but most of the ones in this game just feel like they came out of nowhere. The platforming bits are somewhere between atrocious and irritating. It’s not without its merits, but if you aren’t completely opposed to playing the game on Apple Arcade that is probably the wisest course of action.

Those less experienced with the genre may not enjoy it as much, as the difficulty and complexity ramps up considerably as you go. I can’t say I found myself loving the game at any point, but its raw enthusiasm sure made me want to. Still, love isn’t everything. I liked Indigo 7, and perhaps that’s enough.

It’s a solid action game, and one that will especially appeal to those who appreciate stylish combat.

Unavowed is one of those rare adventure games that I feel can appeal even to those who are not predisposed to play the genre. Its compelling story, well-developed cast of characters, strong production values, and carefully-designed gameplay mechanics create one of the better adventure game packages I’ve seen this side of Thimbleweed Park. As long as you’re okay with some grisly content (you’re investigating demonic killers, not a theft at the bubblegum factory after all), you should give this game a look. It’s really something special.

Destroy All Humans! has an interesting premise that helped it stand out back when it first released in spite of not exactly being a top-shelf game. Oddly enough, that premise is still quite unique more than fifteen years later. But the things that were rough then feel even rougher now, and I’m just not sure it’s going to impress anyone coming to it for the first time. When the mayhem hits a high and you’re blasting away humans, their structures, and their defenses with your otherworldly weapons, it’s still a lot of fun. What happens between those bits isn’t as interesting, unfortunately. In fact, it can sometimes be outright dull. Add in some technical issues with this port and you have a rather lukewarm invasion all-around.

The pacing is all over the map, and even at its best it feels more inspired than inspiring, if you know what I mean. In spite of the fact that these are remastered versions, they come across very much as creations of their times and places. You may find something to latch onto here, but it’s just as likely that you’ll be turned off.

As orthodox as it is in terms of gameplay, it does everything it’s doing so well that I can’t imagine any fan of the genre coming away disappointed. Add in the stellar visuals and excellent music, and you have a well-balanced experience that is more than worth your time and money.

Baba Is You is absolutely essential on iOS. The game itself was already amazing and I’m glad the iOS conversion is nearly perfect. While my two problems with it will not be an issue for everyone, I’m hoping future updates bring iCloud save sync and the ability to create a suspend save in the middle of a level. I already thought Baba Is You was sold for too little at its Nintendo Switch and PC asking price so having it at half of that on mobile feels like even bigger of a steal. It is pretty crazy to me that two of my favourite puzzle games of all time, Baba Is You and The Witness are finally now also playable on my phone (and iPad). Having Baba Is You on Nintendo Switch ready for me to boot up as a break between other games was always great but having it ready to instantly load up anytime on my phone is even better.

In many ways, this game is as generic as its protagonist. But much like how a bag of no-name potato chips still gives you your salty hit, this game will scratch the platforming itch for an evening or two. The difficulty ramps up relatively quickly though, so if you’re looking for something chill this probably isn’t it. Unless you feel chill through tension, in which case you won’t go wrong here.

It does not pull it off as effectively as the original PC version for what I think are obvious reasons, but it works well enough. This is a decent way to play Doki Doki Literature Club if it’s your preferred option, and you definitely should play it. As long as you’re okay with some heavy, mature content, anyway. This is more of a horror story than anything else despite its candy-colored appearance. But it is an incredible one, and one that could really only be done in the medium of video games.

In spite of its insistence otherwise, Cube Blast is more about getting a good shuffle and/or abusing power-ups than any actual strategy. The production values are nice enough and there’s a basic appeal to this sort of thing, but I simply can’t see any reason to recommend throwing money down on this over playing the free mobile version.

There are no clever abilities to unlock here. No memorable boss battles. No unusual set pieces or challenges. It’s the Metroidvania equivalent of a bowl of plain corn flakes. That doesn’t make it a bad game and I’ve thrown more money at worse things, but it’s just so very bland.

Mario Golf: Super Rush may eventually be a great game, but for now it has to settle for being a good one. The new modes help liven up the gameplay in a way that some players are sure to enjoy, and the Golf Adventure gives you something to do beyond the usual stuff. I can take or leave the new swing meter, but I can easily imagine opinions being all over the board on that point. Ultimately, however, I can’t ignore the relative lack of courses and online options available in this launch version of the game. You’ll have a good time going on tour here, but you could have an even better time by picking up the Nintendo 3DS game.

In its current state, Taiko no Tatsujin Pop Tap Beat is a great addition to Apple Arcade. Hopefully it gets more songs and even modes through big updates like many of the games on the service have been getting in recent months. If you’ve never played a game in the series before, Taiko no Tatsujin Pop Tap Beat is a super polished entry that is light on content right now but is still a joy to play and a great rhythm game to just pickup and play.

While you’ll have to give up on some of the visual razzle-dazzle and brisker loading times of the other versions, this is a fine way to play Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2. It’s easily the best handheld Tony Hawk game yet, and that’s worth quite a lot. And while those with other options for playing on their TVs would do well to exercise them, if this is your only means of playing this superb reboot, I don’t think you’ll be upset with it in the least. Vicarious Visions has done an excellent job with the development of this game, and an equally impressive job porting the game to the Switch.

Sloppy collision detection and tepid attacks mean that you’re going to be taking a lot of unexpected hits. There’s a bit of wiggle room thanks to your character having a life meter, but if you run out you’ll be punted all the way back to the start of the often lengthy stage. I’ve played far worse, but I can’t find much enthusiasm for Together, especially so if you mean to play it solo.

First-person platforming is a tough thing to get right on a basic level, and the more that is asked of the player the harder it is to make it all work. Even in its beginning stages, Cyber Hook leans heavily on a swinging mechanic that doesn’t always work as you might expect. It’s not a big deal when you can easily try again, but that safety net disappears soon enough. I’m not opposed to games asking the player to perform ultra-challenging feats of parkour. In fact, I rather like it. But if that’s the ask, the game really needs to get its fundamentals right. That’s where Cyber Hook misses the mark. I think players who are very, very patient will find something to like here, but it strikes me as frustrating for all the wrong reasons.

The more I played Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX, the more I questioned who it’s supposed to be for. It leaves too much of the of-its-time original game intact to be a good choice for new players. It changes too many things that probably should have been left alone to work as a hit of nostalgia. With SEGA’s own fantastic SEGA AGES release of Miracle World available on the Switch for a fraction of the price, this game should have been free to take bigger chances on modernizing the gameplay as much as it updates the presentation. In the end, it’s a weird mid-point that may appeal to some (but not all) hungry Alex Kidd fans and very few others.

Looking at it as a whole, Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny makes a couple of very strong steps forward but sacrifices much in the process. It feels like it’s building a foundation for the future, but like most games of that sort it also comes off as a bit weaker than would be preferred. In some ways, it’s a game I’d like to recommend to Disgaea newcomers. It’s certainly more accessible than some previous entries. On the other hand, it runs horribly on the Switch, the story is entirely forgettable, and I think you’ll find a considerably better value overall in picking up Disgaea 1 Complete or Disgaea 5 Complete. As good as it is to see a new game in the series, Disgaea 6 feels a bit undercooked.

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.

It seems mostly tuned for players who might be interested in a bright, colorful shooter but don’t have the patience to deal with the punishment some of the classics dish out. Either way, its low price makes it easy to bite on. I found Rangerdog to be an easy game to like, and even if it’s not as challenging or risque as Parodius can be, it certainly scratched a similar itch.

The controls on both games are fine, and while they aren’t lookers, they don’t come off as junk either. If your pocket money is coming up a bit short but you want a quick hit of shooting action, I don’t think you’ll feel bad about grabbing this combo pack.