Kirby and the Forgotten Land is the best Kirby game I’ve ever played. It’s probably the best Kirby game you’ve played to date, too. More evolution than revolution, it's nonetheless a big step forwards, not only in its newly added third dimension of gameplay, but also in its quality of life additions, its clever approach to powerups, and its delicious gameplay loop. Sure, there are issues with it, if I sit down and try to think hard, but the moment I get into the game they all fall by the wayside and I’m sucked into a wonderful, incredible, enjoyable experience that’s quite unlike anything else in the series.

NeuroVoider is the best roguelike game on the Switch right now. It's excellently made, looks beautiful, and offers some of the best multiplayer experiences available on the system. To say I loved the game is an understatement; Flying Oak have made a game that anyone can fall in love with in just a few minutes.

Ace Attorney Investigations Collection comes highly recommended. If you have not tried these games on the Nintendo DS, I wholeheartedly ask that you give this a try. Now that all of the games in the Ace Attorney series are available on the Nintendo Switch, my sincere hope is that Capcom look to the future and begin to make new games in the series.

Tetris Forever tells the story of the game's creation through the 80s and 90s with in-depth and engaging interviews with Alexey Pajitnov and Henk Rogers. It's heartening to see that their friendship has endured since those early days. The emulation and recreation of these classic Tetris games are spot on, with plenty of options available. However, the selection of games isn't very diverse and stops before things got weird with Tetris. Without Time Warp included, the game selection would feel a bit average. Don't think of Tetris Forever as a place to get a fresh Tetris fix, but rather as a walk-through time, and you'll do alright.

While Mario + Rabbids plays a lot like X-Com, it's not that game at all, aside from the turn based strategy part. The game is a surprising and charming tale with a ton of humour and cheerful soundtrack inspired by the 90s. You'll not only find yourself liking a Rabbids game, but probably loving it. Up there with the best on Switch.

A tactics behemoth, only those with spreadsheet minds will emerge victorious. Tactics Ogre: Reborn shows that a good old game can be edited and added to with grace and remain impressive in its field.

Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon represent everything Game Freak has worked towards in its 20 years of growing the Pokémon franchise. It has its flaws, as every game does, but they don't detract from the lively world, incredible writing, and sheer fun that the game provides. Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are likely the last big games to be released on the 3DS, and Game Freak sees the console out with a game that will be remembered as a shining example of what the series can do when at its best.

Shin Megami Tensei V is more of what SMT fans would want, now with open-ish worlds and platforming. The Press Turn mechanic is still enjoyable and keeps the game interesting as you try to best or befriend every demon that comes your way. Newcomers might find the brutal difficulty off-putting, with too much grinding for too little story. I have no doubts it will be a beloved Shin Megami Tensei game for the already converted. I’ve always enjoyed the series but hope it can become even more accessible to a broader audience and still keep everything that makes it what it is. But we might be waiting for the next game for that to happen.

When a game comes late to Nintendo platforms, you sometimes wonder, was this really worth all the fuss when it first released? Were we missing out? The answer for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is an emphatic “you’re damn right it is”. While the game’s mechanics are things we might have seen before, we’ve never seen Indiana Jones treated with this much respect for such a long time. MachineGames have nailed it, and the Switch 2 port shows that the age of the impossible port isn’t over, because you lose almost nothing by playing it here. We might not get another Indiana Jones movie again, but if we can get another Indy game as good as this, we’ll be just fine.

There's a lot of fun to be had in What The Golf. Don't like golf? Neither does the game itself; the golf is just the delivery method for some entertaining puzzles. I don't often go back and go for full completion with games, but What the Golf made me do this for the first time in a while. Great fun from beginning to end.

If you haven’t played Rayman Legends at all, or even a Rayman game at all, this is a fantastic jumping on point. It’s gorgeous, the gameplay is fluid, and the progression is so satisfying. This is definitely the best way to play the game, and I can’t recommend it enough!

If you've played Skyrim before, you'll have a pretty good idea of what you're getting into here. It's the same game you know and love, and even after six long years it still holds up amazingly well. Despite suffering from the same issues that have plagued Skyrim since it first launched, the Switch version of Skyrim is an amazing game, filled with lore and adventure and tonnes of dragons. If you haven't played Skyrim yet, the Switch is the perfect place to start, with portability and exclusive features making this one of the best portable RPG experiences on the market.

MushihimeSama might've been around for a while now, but it's still as enjoyable, providing a nice change of pace from flying all those old aeroplanes around. Despite looking like there's too much going on at once. Even an average shmup player like myself can feel like a master bullet dodger. If you're looking for a Cave shmup with all the modes included, then MushihimeSama is a worthwhile purchase.

Bowser’s Inside Story is a colourful, innovative and witty RPG adventure with a thoroughly engaging combat system; one of the best Nintendo DS games is now one of the best Nintendo 3DS games. Bowser Jr.’s Journey is a welcome - if light - addition to the package. However, most importantly, the main game remains the ultimate Mario & Luigi experience for many more reasons than introducing us to Bowser’s love of fried chicken and cheese.

As Beacon Pines releases, it is amongst other adventure games Wayward Strand and Return to Monkey Island. Adventure game fans have been spoiled for games, and with Beacon Pines, we have another enjoyable story to play through. As every story branch unlocked, I looked forward to where it led next. If you want a narrative adventure game with an exciting mechanic, then you should make the trip to Beacon Pines.

Wargroove has given us the closest thing we’re going to get to a new Advance Wars. Nintendo could’ve brought the developer onboard and branded this as an Advance Wars spin-off and made long-suffering fans very happy. I am very happy what we got with Wargroove, if anything I want more of the characters and that gameplay. Who knows, maybe through the campaign creator there’ll be even more stories shared through the community that do the proper story justice.

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime may be procedurally generated but what it lacks in well-designed locales it more than makes up for with well thought out combat and exploration mechanics. Whether you’re playing by yourself or with a group of people, you’re bound to enjoy the hectic and fast-paced scenarios that Lovers has to offer. Just know that there’s definitely more fun to be had with a group than playing solo.

If price is no issue to you, and you’re looking for one of the best narrative-based shooters in modern gaming, BioShock: The Collection is an absolute banger of a bundle. In total, you’re looking at at least 40 hours of game time, with each entry building upon what came before. And if you’ve never played the series, with Switch being your main gaming device, you’re sure to have an experience unlike anything else that’s come before or after.

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined revitalises an old classic with a loving overhaul to allow everyone to enjoy this adventure across time. This new take comes with a lovely visual style and other additions and tweaks to bring this story to a new generation. I definitely wouldn’t complain if Square Enix continues with the Reimagine for some of the following sequels stuck on older Nintendo handhelds.

Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon represent everything Game Freak has worked towards in its 20 years of growing the Pokémon franchise. It has its flaws, as every game does, but they don't detract from the lively world, incredible writing, and sheer fun that the game provides. Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are likely the last big games to be released on the 3DS, and Game Freak sees the console out with a game that will be remembered as a shining example of what the series can do when at its best.

Dredge is a dark, engaging Switch experience that, unlike some of the three-eyed creatures you may pull up from the depths, feels perfectly sized. It balances serenity with risk, exploration with accumulation. A dreadfully good experience that cements Black Salt Games as a developer to watch in future.

Thank Goodness You're Here is an experience. It's still a video game, sure, but over the two to three-hour runtime, you'll constantly question what exactly you're playing, and by the end, you'll still have no idea what you just went through—but in a good way! It's one of the weirdest games I've ever played but also one of the most fun.

Sayonara Wild Hearts is an utterly gorgeous experience, and it looks, plays, and sounds fantastic on the Switch. A game on the surface and a pop album at its core, in what is perhaps the most effective and interesting blend of entertainment mediums I've ever seen. With stylish visuals, an incredible soundtrack, and simple yet inventive game mechanics, Sayonara Wild Hearts is simply a must-have.

Timespinner is an enjoyable game that stands alongside other good Metroidvanias, but not above them. It has an interesting story that somehow feels both epic and somewhat contained at the same time, but is full of background lore that is challenging to make sense of in its own right. Its visual style looks great, and in some moments really stands out, and features a wide cast of enemies to fight along the way, including some challenging boss battles. In the end, Lunar Ray Games delivers a solid experience - but not an exceptional one.

Ape Out is great fun and really engaging experience for people who enjoy arcade-like action. And for the music-lovers out there, this game’s (in)direct control of the soundtrack gives all of the on-screen action feedback but can’t really be experienced anywhere else. It’s a shame that Ape Out is so short and returning to replay the game doesn’t present any new experiences/rewards, but for the 1.5-2 hour duration, you’re in for a real smash.

Ender Lilies artfully weaves the Metroidvanias and Soulslikes genres in a dark fantasy setting, inviting the player to fully explore all of the secrets (and endings) of Land’s End.

Super Mario RPG is a delightfully faithful remake — for better and for worse. It’s almost exactly the game it was 25 years ago, with some key improvements, adjustments, and feature additions to make it much more enjoyable for modern audiences. It’s not without its many frustrations – most of which stem from its SNES predecessor – but there’s no denying that what’s here is a wonderful experience from start to finish.

Apocalypse is very much a more-of-the-same sort of sequel, but when the first instalment was already pretty solid, all you can really do is a few touch ups and a new story. Definitely check it out if you played and enjoyed Shin Megami Tensei IV- I’d have a hard time recommending it to anybody else without the context provided by the first game. Having said that, if you haven’t played the first one, go do that! It’s usually cheap on the eShop, and you already know there’s a fairly expansive universe around just the SMT IV story now.

World of Goo is a game that has aged pretty well since it's original release and the HD graphics go a long way in making it stay a classic puzzle game. The progression is great, with some levels that will make you scream and shout whilst simultaneously pulling out your hair, has a great art style and some pretty funny remarks from The Unknown Sign Painter. It does face some control issues but nothing which is a deal breaker. If you haven't played World of Goo before, or even if it's been a few years or more since you last did, it's certainly worth your time on the Switch.

Once the music dies down and your ears are still ringing after hours of the filthiest bass imaginable, Just Shapes & Beats is a great rhythm adventure on the Switch – especially for bullet-hell and electronic music aficionados.

There are some really hard-hitting and beautiful moments in this game, as well as a lot of funny ones, and the more I learned about Jill the more I liked her. The world and all of the characters of VA-11 HALL-A are so damn interesting, and I found myself eager to return to the game after every play session. If you’re a fan of visual novels, this is a must play.

Tetris 99 is pretty much what-you-see-is-what-you-get, and I think that’s what makes it work so well. There’s no need for complex battle systems or extra modes; no one asked for this game, but here it is at no extra cost, so it manages expectations well by giving just one, solid game mode. You really have nothing to lose and everything to gain by getting into Tetris 99.

At the end of the day, traditional JRPG fans will get a kick out of this quirky mobile adventure, especially if you’ve been itching for something since Xenoblade 2. Similarly if you are a Tales fanatic, all of the DLC bits and bobs are included in the package. But if you are expecting something out of the norm, this probably isn’t the game for you.

Alien: Isolation is a good Alien game. While it overstays its welcome, Creative Assembly really did their best to ground a tense survival game in the Alien universe. Honestly, for all the games flaws, it manages to capture the essence of the movies better than the sequels and prequels have managed past Aliens. Feral has done an outstanding job bringing Isolation onto the Switch and have it run without issues while still looking great. For fans of the Alien franchise, you’re not going to get any better than this It’s not perfect, but neither are the movies. If you want the crap scared out of you over an extended period of time, check out Alien: Isolation.

It is great to see Red Dead Redemption back and available on more platforms, most importantly the Switch. Whether on TV or handheld, the game runs well and still looks good. It's a shame you can't jump into an online free-roam with friends, but the main game and its expansion will keep you busy for many hours. As I said at the beginning, Red Dead fans should buy this game and have a Red Dead Revisit. I also think newcomers will find plenty to enjoy, even if to play one of the best open-world games of the 2010s.

Reanimal allows Tarsier Studio to spread their wings from their previous titles, while still keeping a lot of their signature style. If you can’t get enough of kids surviving tense, atmospheric, and unsettling horrors, then Reanimal has you covered. It might not reinvent the genre, but it takes steps forward. The main thing is that Tarsier still knows how to make a creepy, dark, and gross, yet exciting game.

Loop Hero is one of the best indie games of the year, and it feels great to play on the Switch. While the controls can take some getting used to, the gameplay is engrossing enough that the learning curve is worthwhile, and somewhat reflects the deep-dive nature of the experience itself.

Splatoon 3, while more of an evolution than a revolution, is the best the series has ever been. Between an utterly fantastic story mode, some great new weapon additions, and tweaks to the tried and trusted formula you've come to know and love, Splatoon 3 is everything you'd hope it would be and more. Some will say that it's "just more Splatoon", and that's true, but that's far from a bad thing in a series that has been, and continues to be, so consistently strong.

Overall Ring Fit Adventure is an enjoyable game. If you enjoy games that encourage fitness then this is one to grab. At no point is this a proper replacement for getting out and walking, or more vigorous exercise. Although it is good for helping maintain a routine and get in some extra exercise, or even to help make you more mindful of some good techniques.

Wayward Strand is a special game, made with love, respect, care and empathy, and it shows throughout the game. It's easy to get caught up in this version of 1978; the time of the airship hospital and those few days getting to know the people who live there. As I write this review, all I can think about are the different moments I just happened to chance upon as the day unfolded and what more there is to learn next time.

The improved single-player experience, the enhanced and multitude of online modes for all skill levels and Salmon Run which is just a ton of fun make Splatoon 2 the complete Switch game. The game’s style and charm are terrific and it runs at an amazing 1080p 60fps rock solid the entire time. With a year or more of updates promised and regular Splatfests planned, Splatoon 2 will among your most played games for a while to come.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World takes the best Kirby game ever made and builds on it, cementing the game’s place as the turning point for the series towards loftier goals. Improved graphics and a bump in frame rate make the game’s already excellent art style look and feel even better, and the new stages, while more of the same, are even more fun than the base game. It’s a brilliant game made better in just about every way, and well worth the upgrade.

Octopath Traveler has some quirks. Its storytelling is a little underdeveloped, and its progression is a little unusual. But where it lacks in some areas, it more than makes up for in others, with its mechanical systems some of the best seen in the genre in years. It's a long game, and it will require a lot of attention, but if you have the time and attention to give it a fair go, you won't walk away disappointed.

Levels are short, and as suitable for a quick play whilst commuting as they are for a longer play session. You can choose to test your puzzling chops by collecting crowns, but this is entirely at your discretion. BYE-BYE BOXBOY! does everything it can to create and maintain a mindful chilled environment, and it’s a really pleasant way to spend a couple of hours.

Triangle Strategy is an excellent strategy game with a heavy focus on a very good, very malleable story. Characters are well-written and very likeable, the story goes to some absolutely fascinating places, and the game’s strategy combat is best-in-class amongst its peers. Unfortunately, inconsistent visuals and a gameplay/story balance skewed far too heavily on the story side hold it back at times — but looking past that is easy when the rest of it is so good.

Paranormasight: The Mermaid’s Curse is nothing short of phenomenal. It’s a master class in storytelling, using the most of the visual novel genre to make for a truly unique game that kept me engaged and enthralled from start to finish. You owe it to yourself to play it.

Limbo runs perfectly fine on the Switch and still looks great, even in handheld. It is even already very reasonably priced. If you’ve somehow missed this notable indie title now is a great time to see what you’ve been missing. At the very least it would hopefully encourage you to buy Inside afterward.

Despite its many issues, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 stands out with a deep combat system, compelling storyline, and an endearing cast of characters. Just try not to get overwhelmed and give up in those first hours.

Despite it being all these years later, Advance Wars fills the same spot in my life as it did when I was a kid. A game I can play on and off whenever I have a chance - the reasons for it have just changed with a small child now. With a refreshed looked and sound and just a sprinkling of quality-of-life updates on top of two amazing games, Advance Wars: Re-Boot Camp continues the trend of remade games from Nintendo's past that are solid but just need that little freshen-up for the modern player. Re-Boot Camp is suited for newcomers to the series and veterans alike. Come join the Advance Wars fan club; there are dozens of us.

If you’re someone who finds reward in developing deep mechanical understanding in games and is willing to die, a lot, in a bleak and uncaring world in pursuit of this understanding, Dark Souls Remastered could be a new favourite.

I’ve dragged myself through Pokémon games in recent years, but not with this one. Pokémon Arceus Legends is the future of Pokémon games. It’s the game we’ve all been waiting for for years, with a new and fun way to catch Pokemon, a story that adds to and pulls from Pokemon lore and a region you can genuinely get lost in. Pokemon Legend Arceus is Pokémon, evolved.

There’s no better time to get back into Animal Crossing: New Horizons. It’s hot outside, everything is too expensive, and the real reason to return right now is the free 3.0.0 update, which adds genuinely excellent quality-of-life improvements and new content to the game (for free). If you’ve got a 4K TV, play with a lot of people, and care deeply about getting your home designs just right, then the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade will serve you well. But for most people, you might be able to just skip it.

If you couldn’t tell by this point, I love Killer Queen. I had no trouble getting into it and I know there’s so much to learn in terms of strategies and gameplay styles that I could never be done with it. Everything plays super tight and nearly every match I played gave me those Good Sports Endorphins that come with a down-to-the-wire struggle. Play this one. You’ll have a good time.

Everything about the game is a bright shining star. The story and character design, the voice talent, music and art design. If I was going to compare it to something, which I'm going to, I'd say it's on par with that of a Tim Schaffer game. This is only a good thing. Flipping Death is a fun tale with a mostly laid-back gameplay style, possibly just a tiny bit too short. Another chapter or two certainly wouldn't be a hindrance, but still, the replayability is there with the challenges in each.

Worms W.M.D feels like a celebration of over two decades of Worms, if you’ve been a fan of the series at any point it’s worth checking back in. If you’re new to Worms and after a good multiplayer game, there’s a lot to like in this game. Turn based worm warfare finds the perfect home on the Switch.

No Man’s Sky Switch may stumble occasionally, and the price point carries a sting, but portable feels like the perfect fit for this procedural universe of wonder.

Pine Hearts explores the concept of loss with respect, dignity and with a kind touch. I especially enjoyed talking to the people of Pine Hearts, as well as the colourful world to explore. The respect given to those with impairments is also to be commended. However, the lack of puzzles and the repetitive fetch quest nature of the game does pull back on its potential. I think the team at Hyper Luminal Games have a special talent for broaching difficult topics, and I look forward to what they will bring us in the future.

Yoku’s Island Express is a delightful adventure filled with charming characters, an innovative blend of platforming and pinballing action, and a wonderful treat for the eyes and ears. It’s the sort of wholesome game that makes me feel like a proud parent of all of the people who worked so hard on this beautiful piece of escapism.

Pinball machines will always have a place in my heart, and until I can afford one for real, this is the next best thing. That being said, because it's digital Pinball FX 3 does some things that no real pinball machine could ever do. It can pit you against your friends, have multiple game modes on one table, and let you see where you stack up against others all over of the world — not just on that one machine.

Horizon Chase Turbo’s modern take on the arcade Outrun racer is a fast and fun colour-drenched experience barely diminished by a few crashes along the way.

Hotline Miami and Hotline Miami 2 are an exercise in desensitised violence to the point where playing them feels good. And the choice of weapons and strategy offer enough to vary up the gameplay – and that’s before playing with different masks, which further change up the mechanics (eg. one mask gives the ability to dodge-roll, while another disables weapons but increases melee strength). The over-the-top violence and twitch-gameplay may not gel with everyone, but this Collection is a strong example of modern, fast-paced beat ‘em ups.

A DK-lover’s delight, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle: Donkey Kong Adventure condenses the best parts of the base game into a single, self-contained experience. A narrower focus on three characters enhances the strong tactical experience while keeping the goofy Mario & Rabbids charm. Musically, Kirkhope’s best-of compilation elevates DK Adventure to a must-play for Donkey Kong enthusiasts.

Whether you’ve been waiting for a great follow up to the original for a decade like me, totally new to the tactical RPG genre or looking for something new after whetting your appetite with Mario + Rabbids, Valkyria Chronicles 4 is totally worth a look.

Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is the biggest shake-up of the Lego game formula while also cramming nine movies into one game, like stuffing Luke into a Tauntaun. It won't be the way you remember the old levels for long-term fans, but they give you the universe to traverse in between adventures to keep you busy for hours.

Codemasters made a cracking game, and Feral Interactive has once again done what it does best with its porting efforts — taking the source material and tuning it to near perfection for Nintendo hardware. The only real negatives are the lack of proper analogue triggers (which isn’t the game’s fault) and the absence of multiplayer. But if you’re happy racing solo and soaking up the drama at team Seneca, it’s time to zip up the racing suit.

Nintendo seems intent on showing Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Galaxy as they were, warts and all – just in HD and playable on the Switch. Does the camera in Mario 64 kind of suck? Yes, it does. How has Sunshine come out best in this? I’m not sure. Are the controls for Galaxy here a bit of a problem? Maybe. But despite all this, you’ve got three tremendous games which are all still a ton of fun.

If you like music games and want a good challenge, I highly recommend Vectronom. A snappy soundtrack that bleeds into the gameplay incredibly well, simple controls and aesthetic, and plenty of goals to chase, it's an interesting and unique snapshot of a modern rhythm game.

Consistently surprising, challenging and delightful, Slime-san is totally worth a look.

Little Nightmares 2 is a horror game that stays with you sometime after the credits roll. If you want a game to keep you feeling tense and uncomfortable for a few hours, Mono and Six will be able to help. Tarsier Studios doesn't throw buckets of gore at you or go for cheap scares; they know how to creep. The sequences requiring precision platforming and combat let the game down in some areas. If you're looking for a tense roller-coaster ride of dread and the grotesque, this is the nightmare for you.

The Borderlands Collection finally brings the series to the Switch without compromise. It plays well and looks even better than I expected, even in handheld. The humour definitely isn’t for everyone, but it’s hard to not be sucked into the world of Pandora. While I won’t hold my breath for a Borderlands 3 port, the rest of the series on the go is a more than reasonable trade. The collection provides great value, while the price is a little high, there is easily over 100+ hours of content. If you’ve sunk many hours into the series in the past now there is a way to play it anywhere. If you’re a newcomer it’s about time you made the trip to Pandora.

This is easily the best Mario Party game on the Switch, and while some might argue otherwise, it's likely the best Mario Party in recent memory, all without using the series' past as a crutch. It’ll be hard to top this one.

Crawl adds yet another brilliant Aussie-made title to the Switch. Wildly different to other dungeon crawlers out there, Crawl is among the upper echelon of multiplayer games on the Nintendo juggernaut that just keeps on rolling, let alone crawling. There's plenty of multiplayer mayhem to be had with friends, and a more than engaging variety of single-player options.

I had high expectations for NEO: The World Ends With You, after its predecessor left such a big impact on me when it first released. Fourteen years later, TWEWY's still got it, defying all expectations as an exciting, enthralling, and genuinely enjoyable follow-up worthy of the title it holds. It's hard to imagine another game that would tick as many boxes as this one did for me, and much like the original, I'll be playing, rewinding, and replaying some more for years to come.

It’s an RPG that asks a hefty time commitment and doesn’t offer particularly deep character storylines – but the combat, overall story, and character progression make Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA a journey well worth taking.

Thimbleweed Park just might be too 1980s for a lot of people, but for anyone else who is willing to play through this tale, you’re in for a hell of a good time. While some of the puzzles will be painful and you’ll slap yourself for not getting them right away, that’s half the fun. A humorous story, great characters and just that good old feel make Thimbleweed Park a treasure worth checking out

Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D is one of the most faithful remakes I’ve ever played, for better and for worse. If, like me, you’ve played a version of this wonderful game recently, it might not be worth spending the cash on a new version that is functionally almost identical and left me wanting more. If you’ve never played DQ3 before, though, there’s no doubt that Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D is the best way to play one of the most iconic games in the series’ history.

Despite some frustrations, it’s hard to deny that Octopath Traveler 0 is yet another successful and enjoyable entry in the series. It’s fantastic that the excellent story content previously locked behind a mobile game is more available and even improved, and new additions to an already wonderful combat system make it a joy to play.

51 Worldwide Games does no more or no less than you would expect from it. It's a tidy little package with a lot of value but doesn't go out of its way to wow you, aside from its grandiose presentation. The annoying and weird restrictions on three and four-player games are silly but won't take away from the fun you can have. These games have stood the test of time, and they're even more fun all together in this package.

Unravel Two is a sheer delight. You can feel the love and care that went into crafting every fibre of this heart-warming adventure, and the emotional bond between the Yarnys resonates every step of the way. With a stunning range of sights to see, a beautiful soundtrack and a meticulous blend of challenging yet accessible puzzles, you can’t help but fall in love with this game. This is still worth your time if you’re playing solo, but if you have a co-op companion to join you, this game should be an essential part of your Switch library. Don’t miss it.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker offers very little for those who have played it before, but if you haven’t played before then you’re in for a treat. Treasure Tracker might look adorable on the surface but under lurks a fun and innovative puzzler, one that might just be better played on your own adventure away from the TV.

If you’re a sucker for side-scrolling shooters with a penchant for a difficulty level that fluctuates between clever and fun to sadistically relying on twitch control and memorisation, Rive: Ultimate Edition might be a game to keep you busy for the 6-8 hours it provides.

It's easy to have a love/hate relationship with Dragon Quest Builders. Mechanically, it's a brilliant experience, with some of the best gameplay and aesthetics of any game in the genre. But the decision to break the game up into four separate parts with no sense of progression between them is jarring at its best, and downright frustrating at its worst. It could have been so much more, but what's here is worth celebrating too. It might not be perfect, but it's fun, there's a tonne of content, and most importantly, the monsters are cute as heck.

The Jackbox Party Pack is an investment for parties just like any other tabletop or board game. It's not something you'll play every day but if you have friends or family over a lot and you can work through the games and have a tonne of fun. There's nothing remarkable about the Switch version, but it doesn't need to be - The Jackbox Party Pack 3 stands on its own.

It’s so refreshing to be able to declare a third-party Nintendo Switch title as the truly definitive edition. Disgaea 5 Complete is just that – complete. It’s a competent strategy RPG packed to the brim with content that’s bound to keep RPG aficionados entertained for hours and hours. Despite this, some rough visuals and a little bit too much of an emphasis on grinding is bound to limit Disgaea 5 Complete’s mass appeal. Putting that all aside, Disgaea 5 Complete is accessible, and more importantly, great.

It's great that a wider audience now has the opportunity to play Live A Live, with the added bonus of getting the HD-2D upgrade in the process. Its novel anthology presentation won't be for everyone, thankfully, an added map/radar reduces some old-school frustrations. SquareEnix made the right move breathing new life into Live A Live.

Please play Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions if you never had the chance to play the original. Despite some questionable adjustments, having the opportunity to re-experience this game was an absolute pleasure and has only reminded me of why I love it so much. The characters and writing are as charming as ever, and the memories I had exploring the quirky BeanBean Kingdom are ones I’ll never forget. I only wish I could say the same for the Bowser’s Minions side of the package.

It’s an intriguing story, and one I feel is worthwhile experiencing so long as you’re not put off by a lack of moment to moment game-like elements. It’s just a shame that Oxenfree’s design genius is at odds with its pacing.

There’s a lot of detail and care put into Super One More Jump, and at $8 AUD on the eShop, it may just be that perfect game to pick up and play to kill some time.

Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE Encore is a deeply fascinating game. On the one hand, it's mechanically one of the best RPGs I've ever played. On the other, its inability to appropriately handle serious issues, complete lack of character growth, and often downright creepy characterisation makes it a difficult game to recommend to anybody. It's a divisive game, but it's been given a second life on the Switch nonetheless. Whether or not that's a good thing is still up for debate.

Paradise Killer is absolutely bonkers weird in the best possible way. It is soothing to play at your own pace, with a brilliant soundtrack, rewarding collectibles and a deep, complex mystery to unravel. It is one of the best games I have played this year.

The Lion’s Song is a unique take on the narrative genre. While it displays point and click elements, they only drive what is three excellently told stories and a fourth that ties everything together in a nice, neat bow. The gorgeous art style and the tremendous writing draws you into late 19th Century Austria and proves that games that tell stories about art can be excellent pieces of art themselves.

Taking the inspired recipe from Overcooked and adding several pinches of improvements across the board, Overcooked 2 is a great game to play with others - despite an imperfect online lobby system and the lack of multiplayer customisation.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection sets a high bar for future adventure RPGs, offering a beautiful, stylised design, incredible storytelling, and combat that is approachable and satisfying without sacrificing tactical depth and complexity. It’s a fantastic evolution of the Stories formula, delivering a richer narrative, deeper world interaction, and more reasons to explore the Monster Hunter universe from a different perspective.

Star Wars Outlaws is a wild space adventure. It feels like a part of the Star Wars universe as opposed to just trying to shoehorn Star Wars into a mismatching game. If you get overloaded on big open-world games, that is still a risk here, although finishing the game isn’t dependent on getting too bogged down either. Star Wars Outlaws is another great game to show off what the Switch 2 can do when devs get the opportunity to make it work for the hardware.

It’s a fantastic rhythm game and hopefully a sign that many more amazing titles will follow.

Untitled Goose Game is a well-crafted hijinks simulator which captures whimsical misadventures of a bird just being a real prick for no real reason. While the game is short, it fits nicely on the ‘doesn’t overstay its welcome’ shelf, meaning it’s simple to play through in an evening. Mechanics are easy to learn (button inputs can be customised) and the stealth is light on strategy. But what’s ultimately delivered is a neat little package of an open sandbox where you can run amok without consequences to great, maniacal effect.

Persona 3 Portable is probably the best game in the Persona series, even if it feels a little dated at times. A fantastic story told with restraint and great care, tackling some heavy themes and doing an incredible job. It’s compromised, sure, but it’s wonderful nonetheless.

I had my doubts about the whole museum thing, but the never-ending charm of the Two Point world carries you through it all. There are so many things to unlock, systems to manage, and options to tinker with — perfect for anyone thinking about getting into the genre. There are no mouse controls, which is a bummer because the UI can be a little clunky, but you’ll get used to it over the many hours you’ll spend with this game. It could even be 1 a.m., like it was for me.