With a heap of stages, designed to let you play a little or play a lot, a decent difficulty level and pretty visuals to match, I don't think you'll be disappointed. Some more variety in sight and sound wouldn't have been so bad, but the gameplay and continuous introduction of new gameplay elements forgive this.

There’s no doubt that Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are the best in the series. The open world is fantastic, the story is incredible, and the game looks amazing, even if the performance is very rocky. There are problems, and quality of life issues, but for every negative there’s a dozen more positives that blew me away every step of the way. It will be divisive, but for me, it’s almost everything I want from a Pokémon game.

If you have the patience and desire to fail often and learn from your mistakes, Downwell is well worth falling into.

Oddworld: Soulstorm is a dark and depressing game. I don't know if I found it particularly distressing because Abe's childlike deamanour and big, sad, wet eyes, or his boatload of hardships, or because I killed too many Mudokons. Or maybe it's just 'cos it bummed me out as a kid. All I know is that despite everything I kept playing and it was still a heck of a lot of fun and that's a sign of a good game in my book.

Despite a few streaky edges through slips along the way, cricket fans will appreciate Cricket 19's dedication to the sport's idiosyncrasies without a trading card pack in sight - a rarity for sports games. With the World Cup on now, and the Ashes series coming soon, playing Cricket 19 in handheld with the real deal on the big screen is a tantalising prospect.

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.

Squidgies Takeover is a delightful little puzzler with a too-cute presentation that hides some real brain-busting ideas behind it. Each of the game’s levels has an original idea and new way of playing, and there are multiple reasons to go back with leaderboards and further feats to complete to fully conquer the game. You’ll have to find the right way to play the game for yourself, but once you do, you’ll be sending all the Squidgies to their new home in no time.

Descenders is a top tier extreme sports game, translating the feeling of riding a bike down a hill with incredible precision. So many small design details pull the package together to provide a wonderfully kinetic experience.

If you’re looking for a new type of mayhem to unleash on your unsuspecting friends, Conduct Together is definitely for you. You could say I’m… all aboard.

Ultimately, Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing In Disguise is not about what you can tolerate but what you can accept. If you think you can look past the broken in service of a great story, this might not be for you. If you can embrace and enjoy the tedium, the bugs, the weird tone, the absurdity - you may have a new favourite title. I’ll remember this one for a while.

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.

Going Under has some great synergy, but don’t expect any sort of hostile takeover of your life. It lacks scope and variety compared to time-devouring classics like The Binding of Isaac and Enter the Gungeon, and certainly doesn’t come close to the challenge of either of those two games. As an accessible, friendly, funny take on the genre though, it scores some big points, and is generally a blast and a half. You should give this one a spin.

Okami still looks amazing after all these years, filled with personality and style. Not everything has aged as well and some parts can drag out, but outside of those moments, the game is a delight to play. If you haven’t had the chance to play Okami the best place to play it is on the Switch. If you have played it then what better way to relive your time in Nippon than being able to play it anywhere.

Bayonetta 3 brings plenty of the series charm and excitement back after all these years. It meanders a little more than the previous game but still keeps the pace with the wild bombastic (and silly) sequences to keep you on your toes. It may have been a long time between games, but there's enough to keep fans busy for some time.

Between Fast RMX and The Touryst, Shin’en has really gotten some great performances out of the Switch. I imagine there’s going to be a lot of people thinking about what a game like Link’s Awakening could’ve turned out like with this small team involved. If you want a nice relaxing puzzle game where you can just soak in the visuals The Touryst is a great game for it. Minor quibbles aside there is plenty to enjoy over the five-hour trip. Shin’en has made a game that looks amazing while always giving you something new to do. This is a vacation worth taking.

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 on the Nintendo Switch is a game for people who grew up watching the series every morning on Cheez TV. If you know nothing about the series, it's still a decent starting point, but it leans heavily on nostalgia to make its story work. It's one of the best action-RPG games on the console right now, and doesn't suffer all that much from the Switch's mobile hardware. On the go or at home on the couch, Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 is the best way to relive the Dragon Ball series to date.

Just Dance 2025 might not surprise long term fans, but that could be due to Ubisoft having the formula finely honed over the years. For the newcomers (such as myself) there is a fun party game here, and it’s a pretty fun way to be active too.

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.

Puyo Puyo Tetris feels like the definitive puzzler for the Nintendo Switch. Both Tetris and Puyo Puyo share similarities and feel right at home together here, but the overall package feels incredibly complete and comprehensive. There’s enough here to do no matter how you want to play and who you want to play with, online or off. The price is bound to be a talking point here, but given how solid and polished the Puyo Puyo Tetris experience is, it’s hard to fault it for much.

There’s no doubt that Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are the best in the series. The open world is fantastic, the story is incredible, and the game looks amazing, even if the performance is very rocky. There are problems, and quality of life issues, but for every negative there’s a dozen more positives that blew me away every step of the way. It will be divisive, but for me, it’s almost everything I want from a Pokémon game.

The game certainly won’t get the tick of approval from older kids, but for the really young audience, it’s a winner. The bright, colourful, and fun aesthetic of Gabby’s Dollhouse is captured perfectly. Overall, the game is quite short, taking only a few hours to finish, but kids will keep coming back to explore. Credit to the team for absolutely hitting the brief.

Narita Boy is a lovingly crafted action-adventure game that should appease anyone who’s into 2D pixel graphics. The game offers a relatively short but extremely memorable experience.

Given the current climate in the video game industry, it’s hard to know if we’ll ever see another Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater collection. THPS 3+4 was a miracle to get made at all. This reimagining of the classic Tony Hawk games is still a joy to play, even if there have been some compromises. Now, it’s time to live in (potentially foolish) hope for a remake or remaster of Tony Hawk’s Underground!

Hotshot Racing is a window back into the 1990s, not only in looks but how it plays with some old some fashioned rubber banding. The look and gameplay might not be for everyone, but it's authentic and it's a tonne of fun. I just wish there was more of it. You don't need to be an arcade fan of old to enjoy this, but you'll enjoy it even more if you are.

Aspyr has done an excellent job bringing Tomb Raider I-III up to modern standards without breaking what made these games unique and challenging at the time. That said, even with the modern controls and updated graphics, these are still tough and unforgiving games that won't suit everyone—an excellent relic of the past uncovered in the best way possible.

If this review has sounded a little contemplative, it’s a testament to some clever design that invites you into that headspace. Arranging the protagonist’s collection of belongings is a subtle but thoughtful way of telling a person’s life story without saying a word, and the act of doing so, as well as how you choose to do it, might just end up saying a bit about yourself. Unpacking is a calming, enjoyable journey through time that is as satisfying as it is self-reflective. Much like every object you unpack, this game itself is simple and unassuming at face value. The sentimentality you choose to attach to it, however, is up to you.

Snack World: The Dungeon Crawl - Gold is better than the sum of its parts. Some of those parts are frustrating, and some of them are a bit messy, but somehow, all of those parts come together to create a surprisingly pleasant and refreshing experience. Despite being laden with constant, unnecessary sexual innuendo, and despite being filled with systems upon systems of complicated menus and stats, Snack World manages to be fun above all else. And ultimately, that’s all you could really ask for.

Mario Strikers Battle League Football takes a bit from the first game, a little more from the second and polishes it out into its own fresh thing. We talk about content in games, and on paper, there are fewer characters and stadiums here in Battle League; but there's more to do over a period of time, especially with the Strikers Club which will build communities. Mario Strikers Battle League Football is the best in the series so far.

Replanted seems like a great version of the game, and having not played the game for so long and never on a home console, I felt right at home (without a zombie in it) back in the neighbourhood with this one. There's a few small things to fix up, but overall Plants vs Zombies Replanted is a fun time, and it'll be "one more time" each time you play it.

Perhaps one of the strangest titles Nintendo has published in the Switch era, Daemon X Machina is far from a perfect game. Its storytelling is underwhelming, its gameplay loop is repetitive, and it’s not really doing anything particularly new. Despite that, it manages to be spectacularly fun, and all those worries go out the window the moment you jump into a mech and blow up some helicopters.

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.

There’s no doubt in my mind that Regalia is a great game. It has everything you could ask for from a strategy RPG and then some. Unfortunately, it has a few technical and design issues that really hold it back from being as good as it could be, but it’s still hard not to recommend it.

Yoshi’s Crafty World is a game overflowing with charm. While it feels very much like another game in the Yoshi’s Island series, it makes enough changes here and there to freshen it up. Nintendo has made another fun and charming platformer that is just as fun for all ages, as it melts even the coldest hearts. Between Wooly and Crafty Yoshi’s, I look forward to seeing what they can do with the series next.

Princess Peach: Showtime! is an enjoyable little game that doesn’t push the boundaries but does most things quite well. It’s more like a Kirby game than a Mario game, for better and for worse, and while it has its sore points, there’s a heck of a lot of enjoyment to be had if you lean into it and take it for what it is.

Monster Sanctuary is a clever entry in the Monster Catcher genre, it naturally combines a deep battle system with Metroidvania elements with the lore of the game to create quite a special 2D pixel art indie title.

The Banner Saga 2 feels quite epic at times, especially when you come across ancient stone carvings dedicated to gods long forgotten, as the world literally crumbles around you, making you feel small and unimportant against the greater backdrop of a world on the brink of succumbing to darkness. Your journey feels almost hopeless, but there is always a thin rope of hope to guide you. Now we wait for the conclusion.

Carrion lets you live out the creature fantasy you never knew you desired. A series of escape situations and tense standoffs with humans where you have the upper tentacle every time. A gruesome experience, but one well worth having.

Pokken Tournament DX is really good. It was good on the Wii U, and it’s still good on the Switch. While I would’ve appreciated if the developers put more effort into giving DX a little more meat on its bones, there’s no denying that what’s already here is great fun. If you’ve never given this game a go, now’s the perfect time to check it out.

Whether you grew up with these games or not, Spyro Reignited Trilogy is a loveable reminder of games from a different era, and you’ll likely be grinning the whole time.

Little Town Hero is a masterclass in experimenting with genre. It does have some technical issues on the surface, but underneath that is a beautiful, complex game packed with charm, depth, and most importantly, fun. It won't be for everybody, but if you like card-based RPGs, you're bound to have a great time.

Creature in the Well is a pleasant change to the usual dungeon crawler formula. While it can be punishing at times, its challenges can be overcome. If you enjoy Pinball, Breakout, Tennis or even games like Windjammers and would like to try a different spin on them, Creature in the Well is for you. There are at least five hours of fun genre mash-up here, that happens to have a really nice art style too. I’d love to see more like this from developer Flight School Studio in the future.

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.

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.

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.

I have been playing farming games for quite a while now, going back to the original Harvest Moon on the Super Nintendo. I can honestly say that Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar likely will rank in my top five games in the genre. There is plenty to do in the game, the voice acting is surprisingly well done, and most importantly of all, it is not a chore to play. I never played the DS original of this; however, I am confident when I say that this is a definitive version of the game and well worth checking out.

What it all boils down to is a charming and very Nintendo way to activate your prefrontal cortex (or so the educated floating head keeps telling me). Brain Training is just... brain training. If you decide to give it a shot, you might find yourself motivated to better yourself and drawn in by the friendly and approachable presentation. If you’re of an inclination to want to keep your mind active, I can happily say that this is a lot more interesting than any mobile app I’ve ever tried. If you want a traditional video game though, if you want to play a few hours a day, if you want graphics or story or unique gameplay mechanics, none of that’s here. But that’s fine because that’s not what this is.

Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is a fantastic addition to the series and the genre as a whole. It’s got plenty to enjoy for farming game fans, life sim fans, and RPG fans, a lovely cast of characters, and mostly solid presentation that makes it a delight to play. There are a few shortcomings here and there, but it’s hard not to recommend it to just about anyone looking for a nice, laid-back experience with lots of charm.

I really, *really* enjoyed Miitopia, when I fully expected not to. It’s so self-aware, leading to some fantastic moments in the game. But most of all, it’s an RPG adventure that’s basically tailor made for you. I had a blast exploring Miitopia with my friends, seeing interactions that would never happen in real life, and saving the world from the evil Vook. Even if you think you might not like it, I highly encourage playing the demo. If you enjoyed that, the full game is so much better.

If you're craving more 2D Zelda, Castaway will give you a small taste of that. While the story is cute, it is admittedly very short. The game’s Tower Mode is an interesting take on the 2D Zelda format, fitting it into a different genre. There's not denying though just how much has been inspired from Link's Awakening and other 2D Zelda games. A fun, short little romp, made almost all by one person - cheap and cheerful.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed revisiting the origins of my favourite fighting boys in Yakuza 0: Directors cut. For longtime fans, this version offers the definitive way to revisit Yakuza 0, and for first timers, it's the perfect place to start.

Working your way across the islands will only take a few hours, depending on how you go with the puzzle and orb hunting. Down in Bermuda offers a relaxing time to just potter around Bermuda and find your way back home to the life you left behind. Being an Apple Arcade game first and Switch game second, it does make it a harder sell if you have access to Apple Arcade. Down in Bermuda is worth checking out if you enjoy interactive puzzles and a charming cel-shaded island item hunts.

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.

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 idea that stuck with me while playing, is that The Escapists 2 is a puzzle game, where there’s no real right or wrong answer. You’re practically thrown in the deep end, into a jigsaw puzzle with very few edge pieces to work backwards from, but plenty of pieces from the middle. How you put them together and come up with the solution is up to you.

For what it’s worth, Once Upon a Katamari feels most similar in tone to Katamari Damacy and We Love Katamari. It doesn’t try to reinvent the formula, but it never needed to. The unadulterated joy of rolling a ball and collecting random stuff in a level never gets old. Being able to play it in both TV and handheld modes is a bonus, and the soundtrack slaps. Once Upon a Katamari is a perfect blend of humour, whimsy, silliness, and most importantly, fun.

The bizarre story, intriguing characters and witty writing serve as an enjoyable backdrop to a game that manages to sink its teeth into you in a way that makes it difficult to put down. The map design and satisfying combat make it incredibly compelling to keep exploring just one more room to find out what crazy antics await, and the scope of the world provides a huge amount of content for those wishing to see it all. It’s easy to recommend making room for Daryl and friends in your Switch library.

Pato Box is definitely a game worth checking out. If not because Nintendo haven’t provided the world with a new Punch-Out!! game in nine years, then definitely because it’s a weirdly beautiful game starring a boxer with a duck head, who has been wronged by a large corporation and seeks revenge against a bevy of interesting and unique characters.

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.

It’s not an original concept, but taking the Pictionary idea and bringing it to a touch screen enabled, internet connected video game console genuinely adds a lot to the experience.

Despite a few minor issues, Piczle Lines DX is an excellent puzzle game with a tonne of content and more free content on the way. It will keep you entertained for days, if not weeks. It might be playable on mobile, but the Switch version is cheaper overall, and the option of traditional controls makes the Switch version the definitive Piczle experience.

If you’re a Fire Emblem fan, seeing those familiar faces intermingle across different eras and stories is kinda cool from a gameplay perspective. If you’ve never played Fire Emblem before, this might be the one of the kindest introductions into the series.

While Super Mario Maker 3DS felt crippled and downgraded, Poochy & Yoshi’s Woolly World feels equal. With the Wii U version getting updated to support Poochy & Poochy Dash there’s not too many advantages to the game, but also no downsides. If you missed this on Wii U, there’s no excuses not to pick this up, but if you do own it already you may just want to look into adding the amiibo to your collection. Now if only we had some Poochy Pup amiibo….

River City Girls could have just been a fun retread of some arcade-style fighting with some good new stuff and some bad new stuff. To a degree, it is - there are bits here like the money system and the co-op that could have been a little less unfriendly to deal with. But with a hearty dose of style and some great writing, it lifts itself up into a great little retro-styled treat for the beat-em-up inclined. Maybe not for everyone, and especially if you’re not up for a challenge, but I sure had some fun.

The Banner Saga’s narrative does a Fellowship of the Ring, introducing you to this world and leaving you just as things are developing. Still, there’s good value in the title, with around ten hours of play time required to reach the end, possibly more if you opt-in for more fights throughout.

Swinging for the fences, Super Mega Baseball 2 captures the fun of America’s pastime. Those looking for a highly customisable baseball experience will find plenty to sate their creativity. While Super Mega Baseball 2 isn’t as deep as MLB The Show, does it really matter when you can drop players like a sack of spuds with a beanball?

If you've played this game on any platform in the last few years then you'll largely know what to expect. On the plus side, it's still a Sparkle game, it's great at what it does, and Zuma is long gone. It is also good value for the amount of content provided, and as a bonus it’s slightly cheaper on the eShop than on the iOS app store.

While Switch already has a lot of games available to suck up your time, Tumblestone should be on your radar if you’re a fan of tile matching games. It’s a unique enough take on the genre, and while Puyo Puyo Tetris will fight for your attention, coming in at $20 makes it’s great value for money.

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.

The Zooseum DLC is a great addition to the Two Point universe. The animal conservation aspect is really well thought out from both a gameplay and animal welfare perspective. It's a fun little add-on, which hopefully doesn't mean there's never going to be a Two Point Zoo game.

Little Orpheus is a neat, little game with a fun story, quirky characters and a whole lot of atmosphere. A handful of patchable offences aside, if you're keen to find out what ever happened to Ivan and Little Orpeheus on a Soviet subterranean mission gone wrong, then def jump in!

While Australia still doesn’t have Hotline Miami on the Switch, Bloodroots helps to fill that fast-paced violent wound. When you work out how to chain your attacks around the many arenas it feels great, although it can be too unforgiving. Bloodroots revels in ‘everything is your weapon’ slapstick, managing to keep it interesting across the three acts. Paper Cult has delivered a stylish bloody revenge tale that will grab your attention and stab you with it.

Morphite is a game that takes its time to get your comfortable with exploring and playing it, as long as you also take the time to slow down and appreciate what you’re given. By no means is Morphite an action packed adventure, but it is definitely an interesting and worthwhile one.

Curious Expedition 2 will hook you with its fun comic book aesthetic, and keep you entertained with procedurally generated worlds and compelling character events for many hours. The game delivers an exceptionally entertaining roguelike romp, but may struggle to hold your attention following your first playthrough.

One of my favourite things worth mentioning about this game is the soundtrack. It’s entirely piano pieces, with varying tempos for various situations, like exploring the overworld, or fighting in a battle. If you have Spotify, the soundtrack is on there, I highly recommend giving it a listen!

L.A. Noire for the Switch is a masterclass in third party support – the full experience you can get everywhere else without any compromises. Every feature, every gameplay beat, and every mode is included here just as you’d find it on any other console. It may come across as a little bit too pricey for those who have played it before – and quite frankly it is – but for those who haven’t L.A. Noire has a lot of content to sink your teeth into. Despite this, L.A. Noire isn’t perfect and the issues it had in 2011 largely remain here in 2017. The open world is a visually stunning and authentic rendition of the city of angels and yet feels ultimately pointless. The MotionScan facial technology is a great idea but marred by some shoddy performances. The bottom line, however, is that if you play L.A. Noire on Switch then you’re playing the same game everyone else is on other consoles. And that’s how it should be.

Persona 5 Strikers does the seemingly impossible in mashing up two very different genres and striking a balance that works. Beyond just its incredibly satisfying gameplay, Strikers' story is more than a worthy successor to Persona 5, and the two together make for an experience that is going to be difficult to match going forward — either in Persona games, or in Warriors games. There are some small issues with the Switch port, but all in all there's little to complain about. It's a fantastic game, from top to bottom, and almost makes up for the absence of Persona 5 on the Switch.

Occasionally, the gameplay changes up by throwing different mechanics every now and then, including one section where you assume control of a hamster to explore small nooks and crannies. However, these sections just feel tacked on and the hamster section felt fiddly and imprecise to control on the 3DS. These sections are irregular, allowing the focus to remain solely on the solid RPG mechanics.

Moving Out is a fun party game that is at its best when you are screaming at your friend to pivot as you awkwardly attempt to rotate an L-shape couch through a winding corridor too small for the task. It certainly has its moments, but unfortunately, it lacks enough of these to escape the shadow of Overcooked and rise to the same ranks of blissful pandemonium. The absence of competitive multiplayer and online play also hurts, but if you love these types of party games you can still find a good time waiting for you here.

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.

Fuser is off to a good start and for any music lovers, there is so much potential to make some wild and creative mixes with some familiar beats.

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.

Final Fantasy XII is a solid entry in the main series that has definitely been improved by updates made with the remaster. Elements of the game that were quite a shake-up at the time stand out much less given where the series has gone over the last decade. If you missed it the first time, this is the best version I could recommend thanks to the portability and all of the most up to date additions and improvements. More importantly, the game is fun. After countless hours of turn-based battles, it was a pleasant change. If you missed it the first time, it’s time to fix that mistake and grab Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age.

Rooftop Renegade is a wild ride for speed runners and fast-paced platformer fans. The fastest times and higher rankings are hard won and feel rewarding when you beat the CPU hellbent on slowing you down. It might look even better on other platforms, but it runs pretty smoothly on the Switch, and the futuristic backdrops look good without distracting from all the action. It may not be for everyone. If you aren't into getting the best time or speed running in general, your mileage here is limited. But there is plenty to enjoy, and the unpredictable challenge is worth checking out.

Just Dance 17 is both refreshing and stale. On one hand, it’s great to see a late port from a third party that has as many features, if not more than the other versions available. On the other, the Just Dance franchise itself is pretty much the same as it was last year, or the year before, or the year before.

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.

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

An extremely polished high-speed racer at home or on the go, FAST RMX is an essential Switch launch title worthy of anyone’s collection.

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.

Chocobo’s Mystery Dungeon: Every BUDDY! Is a bit of an interesting spectacle. It’s a remaster that nobody asked for, in a series that’s largely been forgotten, in a genre that doesn’t really get much attention. In a way, it’s almost worth playing for that spectacle alone. But spectacle aside, there’s a lot to love, and the game is filled with charm and adorable, fictional bird moments. Sure, it gets a little repetitive, and the difficulty curve is steep, but it’s got a solid foundation, and if you can push through the grindier elements, there’s a lot of fun to be had.

Stray tells several different stories, all through the eyes of a cat. It's a touching tale that won't take too long to complete and doesn't overstay its welcome. The platforming skills required are minimal, making it a relaxing and enjoyable experience. While the Switch version is a bit fuzzy, the game retains its charm with great lighting and effects, even if it doesn't run as smoothly as the versions on other consoles. It might only take a weekend to finish, but it'll stay with you forever, like cat fur on your couch.

Gato feels like a Metroid mini, not in a diminishing way either. At a tight 3-4 hours, you can see and pick up everything. Over that time you’ll have played a tightly-honed game that uses gated progression to steer you around a reasonably linear path. This isn’t a bad thing either, it’s Metroid boiled and condensed down to its essence. It adds just enough of its own personality that you want to uncover the mysteries of the facility as they unfold throughout the game.

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!

Aegis Defenders has a lot going for it. If you’re looking for a platformer that has heaps of old-school elements to it, that feel is captured well here. GUTS has managed to combine two different styles of gameplay well to make a fun game, helped along by interesting characters you’ll get to know along the way. Whether you play this in single player or with a friend there’s plenty to enjoy. Aegis Defenders is worth checking out.

Which Way Up: Galaxy Games is a fun party game from the small development team at Turtle Flip Studio. Not only is an enjoyable time with a group, definitely the more the merrier, but there’s something of value for solo players too. There are some technical issues that can pop up, and the Single Player mode can be surprisingly strict on unlocking levels, but overall Which Way Up is a blast.

Pac-Man Museum + has plenty for Pac-fans wanting a more varied collection of the pellet-munching mascot. It's not unexpected that Ms Pac-Man is omitted. It's a shame that the Championship Edition is included without the DX upgrade. The majority of the games in the museum are enjoyable enough to return to.

Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is a fitting follow up and upgrade on the previous 3DS game. It’s easy to grow fond of your island of Mii’s and their Hot Dog obsessed ways, helping to guide them through the ups and downs of a digital life. There is something for players who want to cover the world with their art and creations, or for players who just want to see what goofy things the Mii residents will get up to next. Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is much more joyful than the potentially sarcastic saying it is titled after.

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.

Like Toy-Con Garage, Game Builder feels like it was made to be used by schools IT departments to help younger audiences learn how to program in a way which is easy to understand. It's encouraging to see Nintendo is sticking with finding ways to make programming accessible, hopefully even inspiring future game makers. Game Builder Garage makes programming more understandable as well as enjoyable. It can still be overwhelming, but they put the tools in your hands to try it out. I'll still miss Labo and its creative builds, but Game Builder Garage is an excellent follow-up.