All up, Namco Museum on the Switch is a solid bunch of games – 11 really fun titles that will have something for everyone. A lot of care has gone into presenting the titles and giving you extra ways to play them. If you are chasing the high score or looking for something fun to play with friends you cannot go wrong with Namco Museum.

While the game doesn’t have the generation spanning appeal of the great Nintendo canon, what we have here is a very competent entry level role playing game for younger players. More mature players will find little to be impressed by with Yo-Kai Watch 2’s plentiful but basic offerings.

When the game releases on Friday, you’ll get the patch and be off and whacking balls with your mates online. But some people won’t, whether they can’t get online or can’t afford it, paywall-ing some of the stuff that could elevate this above Wii Sports and bring back that craze for a new generation. Wii Sports was free, Wii Sports Resort wasn’t, but it had a lot more going on than what we’ve played thus far. I hope I can delete most of this review and finish it off strong when the patch releases. [Review in Progress]

Despite all my complaints, if you’re even remotely interested – I still implore you to give Snake Pass a go. The reason behind all my nit-picking is simply because I liked this game so much. From the sprawling environments to the unique control scheme – it all wraps up to be a rather interesting experience that shouldn’t be missed.

Skylanders Imaginators might do a serviceable job at scratching that platforming itch left by the absence of games like Super Mario Odyssey, but it just feels like yet another Skylanders game. While the Switch version brings more hardware appropriate features to the table, it still feels slightly inferior to other versions, especially as it’s missing content. Issues aside, Imaginators is bound to be a hit with younger audiences, but just be warned it’s a franchise that’s truly starting to stagnate.

I’ve quite enjoyed the Attack on Titan anime, and I think that helped me appreciate the game much more. It’s hard to recommend to people unfamiliar with the show or manga, since while it follows along with the story, you miss out on a lot of the political intrigue that makes the events more meaningful. But if you are a fan, A.O.T. 2 is a blast.

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.

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.

PGA Tour 2K21 is all you could want in a golf game, the relaxing yet sometimes maddening game of golf is recreated here perfectly in digital form. This year's game with the 2K flair and added authenticity of real players and even more real courses propels the game further. If you're at all into golf, you'll be into this, and if like golf just a little bit you can now get into HB Studios's golfing mastery.

Flood of Light is a unique and challenging puzzle game with that does a great job of getting your grey matter working. For the most part it strikes a great balance between difficulty and satisfaction, and runs for the perfect length to make the most of the ideas on offer. Some minor quibbles slightly dampen what is otherwise a strong overall package, but the interesting core puzzle mechanic and stunning artwork make a trip through this submerged city worth your time.

To be clear, I didn’t hate The Count Lucanor. But I really didn’t enjoy it either. It’s a game that just feels merely mediocre in nearly every way, leaving me wishing it had more to it. There are a lot of good ideas that are just not developed to a satisfying standard, but I hope this game leads to more interesting games from these developers in the future.

Both MySims games deliver on their promise of fun, relaxed simulation experiences with a lot of charm and creativity, each with its own flavor; one focused on free-form creativity, the other on structured adventure and kingdom-building. Whilst I found major issues with some of the menus and with the camera controls – or lack thereof – the overall experience was still an enjoyable one.

Cris Tales is a game I was hoping I could heartily recommend. The game's lovely visuals deserve praise; they deliver even on the Switch. The adventures of Crisbell, the time mage and friends are more than suitably grand for an epic JRPG. Unfortunately, the loading times absolutely drain all of the magic out of this game on the Switch. If the other consoles perform better, then definitely check it out there. It truly is a shame technical issues like this hamper the game; it draws even more attention to other problems. I really do hope devs Dreams Uncorporated bring us some more fantastic game worlds. We might have to wait for an upgraded Switch, however.

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.

Shu is an okay platformer with a pretty facade. You jump, do a few interesting moves and that’s about it. With little compulsion to obsess over collectibles and skills that are given then taken away, Shu feels like a handful of decent ideas without a meaningful vessel to contain them.

Despite lacking the fanfare you might expect for a celebration of a beloved franchise, The Master Collection does finally allow more players to experience these distinctly unique action titles. Be sure to play in docked mode for the best performance and ideally grab yourself a pro-controller to better handle a superb core combat experience. Ninja Gaiden might have aged in a few ways, but its mastery of the blade remains undeniable.

Light Fall is a good game, it offers up a lot for speed runners, including a time trial mode, however the main quest is too short. While the game is quite challenging, with the last section proving to be the most difficult, you will fail a lot, but with the fast respawn time and precision platforming needed, it’s a challenge that I enjoyed and if you like a good challenge, you will too.

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.

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.

Fe is just a beautiful, ambitious game that takes a lot of established ideas and puts it all together to make a thoughtful, enjoyable experience. While there are a few moments of frustration, the game still trusts you to learn and grow in your own time, making for a unique package.

Jackbox Party Pack 6 is another solid addition to the franchise. It follows the tradition of featuring a couple of standout hits, some decent entries and one that probably won’t get a second look. Despite borrowing ideas heavily from prior packs, the highlights here are great and both Trivia Murder Party 2 and Push the Button alone make it worth the price of admission. It’s not the strongest Jackbox pack, but it’s still one of the best casual multiplayer experiences for gamers and non-gamers alike.

There's a lot to love about The Plucky Squire. It’s Zelda-inspired without being a complete clone and introduces a bunch of new ideas and fun mini-games. The ability to dip in and out of the storybook with two different presentations is interesting, though a little fuzzy in 3D on the Switch. However, the game seems determined to stop you from playing it, constantly interrupting you or offering help with tasks that are obvious from a mile away. Sometimes, games can just be a little shorter, and that’s alright too.

Saints Row IV drew me in with its Matrix-like whimsy and dedication to player fun. The Switch port is serviceable, with blemishes easily ignored against the shenanigans on offer.

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.

Clea 2 is a strange survival horror game that does a lot by keeping you tense and mindful of your surroundings. If you want to play a creepy stealth-based game where you’re constantly pursued, then InvertMouse has you covered. For the cautious, the game could drag on a little too long. Speedrunners and survival horror fans will likely get much more out of Clea 2.

Team Sonic Racing is a great kart racer in it's own right, but one I don't see myself coming back to after the credits finish rolling.

Contra: Operation Galuga did crash on me a few times, the loading screens are longer than I'd expect for a 2.5D game, and some of the prices in the perk shop are ridiculous, but ultimately it's a great bit of fun. I've been missing run and gun action like this since primary school. Bill Rizer and Lance Bean, I salute you.

Samba de Amigo: Party Central is a decent party game for people who are up for getting their arms moving and shaking to the beat. The different modes offer something for solo and more players. However, it's a shame the Apple Arcade game is the only version that saw a story mode. Samba de Amigo is a fun series. I hope Sega doesn't keep us waiting so long for more to keep the party going.

Aces of the Luftwaffe is a decent shmup with some neat features, but there are so many issues that weigh it down. If you’re a shmup addict and don’t mind the asking price than you’ll get a few hours out of this. For others, it’s hard to recommend this game, especially when NEO GEO has better and cheaper games in the genre. Maybe get Aces in a sale.

Story of Seasons still comes recommended to fans of the farming genre, as it does have enough different to offer over other titles. I have my fingers crossed that the balancing issues are fixed in future patches.

No Straight Roads is a little hard to recommend on Switch. It's a solid enough game at its core, with some neat ideas and a very solid soundtrack, but its visuals are lacking, its text is too small, and its controls lack the fluidity to make it a truly great experience. It still may be worth picking up on another platform, but for now the Switch version is more miss than it is hit.

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.

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.

The game is very charming, and the world and the villagers are delightful, but to get the most out of My Time at Portia you might need a guide. A lot of the crafting feels like a big puzzle and most of it I was able to figure out on my own, but there is a lot going on here and it can begin to feel a little overwhelming. There’s a lot to like here, but unfortunately those few disappointments really let an otherwise lovely game down.

Earth Atlantis is a fascinatingly experimental hybrid of a game. While not entirely perfect in its attempt to merge the two genres it takes inspiration from, a unique art style and interesting creature designs definitely make it worth checking out. Even more so if you’re hungry for some bullet hell action on the go!

It is difficult to recommend Little Inferno to those who already played it on Wii U, beyond supporting Tomorrow Corporation and independent developers on the Switch. For those who have yet to own their very own Little Inferno Entertainment Fireplace, Little Inferno offers plenty of intriguing social commentary and a good dose of humour – that is if you don’t mind regularly being the butt of the joke.

Perfect for fans of intricate time-looping narratives, The Sexy Brutale is a brilliant mystery puzzler brimming with extravagant character. It's unfortunate this masquerade romp couldn't mask its technical issues on the Switch, but if you enter this mansion of debauchery with a dose of patience, the reward will be a memorable tale orchestrated by a roaring soundtrack.

I would have given the game four out of five, but the price of the game on Switch compared to the mobile versions is nearly triple the price without justification. If you can overlook the price differences, it really is a good game and will keep you busy while we wait for Half-Life 3.

Project Warlock is a blast when it all finally clicks. It does take some warming up to after being thrown in the deep end. With some small tweaks, I managed to deal with the more fiddly issues. If you’ve finished off the old Doom games on your Switch and need another dose of that retro FPS, Project Warlock definitely goes some way to scratch that itch.

Blue Fire is a real mixed bag. For all of the enjoyable platforming, there is the annoying combat. For all of the exploration, as you dash and jump around Penumbra, you can easily lose a chunk of time through game crashes. Despite all of the issues that frustrated me, I still really enjoyed the game when it would let me. If you're willing to risk the game crashing now and then, Blue Fire happens to be quite the platformer.

Overall, Conga Master Party! is great value. The Switch has become the perfect home for these cheaper indie games with a surprising amount of content, and best of all they’re fun to play. The story mode can take a few hours and is best enjoyed in short sessions, but the multiplayer modes really bring the game to life and is a good game to chuck on amongst good company and put your bonds of friendship to the test.

I’m very interested in seeing what Spellbreak becomes given a little more time and extra features added in. The combat and levitating make the game enjoyable already, hopefully, the player count per round can be increased to make use of the big arena. If you’re after something a bit different from Fortnite, Spellbreak is a good alternative. Even better is that it’s free, and perfectly playable without spending a cent. If you want a game that allows you to fight with the elements like Aang and Korra, Spellbreak might be the game for you.

The Labo VR kit is a decent bit of hardware and software, but it is in no way comparable to the more pricey VR headsets. Labo VR provides a cheap(er) option ideal for younger audiences, while also being a neat entry point for everyone else to experience a virtual space. If I haven’t made it clear already, the lack of support with no head strap for the goggles is a real let down. The games don’t usually last long, but a game session shouldn’t end from feeling too uncomfortable. Although you shouldn’t let that stop you from trying it out, it still has the Labo charm that Nintendo have put in each collection.

Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions has plenty of great ideas and neat mechanics, but the lacklustre underlying soccer gameplay combined with annoying pacing in the story mode makes for an experience that is often more frustrating than fun when played solo. With that said, it remains a surprisingly good time when played with friends that can partake in the chaotic shenanigans. Just do not go in expecting a FIFA-quality soccer game with an anime coat of paint.

Detective Pikachu is an above average point-and-click style game wrapped with a great lead character in Detective Pikachu. The heart and the humour of the story more than make up for any clunkiness in the game’s mechanics and a slow start. Fun for everyone, let’s bring on the movie.

FIFA 19 brilliantly serves new players and the hardcore returning players. While missing The Journey story mode from other platforms, FIFA 19’s improvements prove EA’s commitment to the Nintendo Switch in the form of the console’s best sports game yet.

Butcher commits to it's ultraviolent nihilistic aesthetic completely and if you’ve the stomach for it, it’s a hell of a ride. Every piece from the fast-paced movement and gunplay to the thick atmosphere of the levels and music combines to form an immensely challenging action game where every death just begs you to take another stab. If you have a nihilistic bone in your body and an appetite for fast-paced challenging action - Butcher will satisfy.

Terminator 2D: No Fate isn't a long game, you can smash through it in about an hour, but like the movie itself, every time you play it you find something new and learn to appreciate it just a little bit more. Aside from one level that doesn't lend itself particularly well to being replayed, there's a lot here to go back for whenever you're feeling like a bit of Terminator. The game does lean on the licence a lot, so if you've no nostalgia for the series, you might just feel like you're missing out on something. I'll be back (for another run).

Aspire: Ina’s Tale still leaves an outstanding impression. Traversing the big ol’ tower and solving puzzles with Ina was satisfying despite a few tricky hiccups. The brilliant art style is the absolute star of the show, however. Aspire: Ina’s Tale is a game with striking visuals that’ll keep you agasp through its entirety.

While a majority of their games are top-down shooters, 10tons also dabble in the puzzle genre (Tennis in the Face, the Sparkle games), and Time Recoils levels are themselves puzzles, with clear paths which you’ll figure out through dying repeatedly (seriously, some of the later levels up the difficulty considerably) and experimenting with both your time based abilities and the extensive selection of weapons on hand. The Time Attack mode that you unlock after completing each level will have you replaying again and again in an attempt to get the perfect, bloodiest run.

While the game doesn’t have the generation spanning appeal of the great Nintendo canon, what we have here is a very competent entry level role playing game for younger players. More mature players will find little to be impressed by with Yo-Kai Watch 2’s plentiful but basic offerings.

A neon-soaked ode to the popular arcade racers from a bygone era, 80's Overdrive offers thrilling driving and a banging synthwave soundtrack, but the imbalanced and frustrating career mode scratches the paint of the overall experience.

All up, Stikbold! A Dodgeball Adventure is a fun game to play with a group of people in the quick match modes and not s’bad with 2-player co-op in story mode, but playing by yourself just doesn't have the same level as fun about it, not being able to trash talk and laugh with your cohorts. It’s not terrible but just not the same.

As a collection, the Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Trilogy is a bit of a mixed bag. The games get progressively better with every game, but each still has their ups and downs. That said, if you're a fan of Naruto, there's no glaring reason not to pick these up. They're a fine set of fighting games, even if some are clearly better than others.

My Hero One’s Justice is far from a bad game, but it’s also not an amazing game. There’s not a lot here that blows me away, or makes me want to play for hours and hours. A lot of the draw for me is the story mode, and mission mode, but once those are finished… I’d probably forget about the game. I’m really hoping to see the next game expand on what’s here, for what is a really interesting world and concept where the game ironically does it no justice.

Voxelgrams shows that a 3D Picross game can work on the Switch. It doesn’t work as well as it did on previous handhelds, but it does the job well. If you’re willing to spend some time getting used to the controls then you’ll be navigating around the puzzles with little drama. With 176 puzzles packed in for a good price, it will help fill the void with some 3D Voxelgrams. If you’re after a relaxing game with few pressures I would also recommend kicking back, turning up the sound and taking it easy with Voxelgram.

Ty being a game from nearly two decades ago is tough to be too harsh on. The remaster was about bringing it to current platforms, it still plays like an old GameCube game. It’s a nice bit of nostalgia revisiting a genre that nowadays is mostly reserved for games looking back at those games. You can’t go wrong if you want to have a bit of Australian video game history, or even just want to help show there’s a demand for remasters of the second and third game. If you're looking for a platformer that takes you back to the ‘good ol days’ of 3D platformers then Ty is a true blue dinky-di ripper.

The Namco Museum Archives Vol 1 and 2 are a decent trip down memory lane. The previously unlocalised games and rarities will entice retro game enthusiasts. A bunch of the classics are here, and some alright games too. Dividing the collection into two volumes only serves to squeeze a little extra money out of you for Famicom/NES versions of games. The 8-bit demakes of Pac-Man Championship Edition and Gaplus make great additions and show up the older games a little, but overall fit in amongst the bunch. If you want the original version of the classics then you’re better off with the older Namco Museum Collection, it’s really the rarities and previous Japan-only titles that make these volumes stand out.

If you love musicals, you’ll still absolutely adore what has been created here, and I’ll certainly be going back for at least one more playthrough to pursue some different paths. But from the premise, I wanted to absolutely adore this game, and in the end, I just really liked it.

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.

Fitness Boxing 3 keeps the sweat up just as much as the previous games in the series. There are enough new modes here to keep things interesting, but how long you stick with it depends on your ability to find the time to exercise. I played much of this in handheld mode after waking up in the morning, and that worked for me. It is a great package, and makes for a good introduction to exercising. It has its annoyances for sure, but nothing big enough that would prevent me recommending this title to anyone looking to improve their overall physical wellbeing.

If you’re after a point and click adventure game that harkens back to another era of gaming, Darkestville Castle isn’t bad. There is definitely the feel of older adventure games, fans of the Monkey Island series, in particular, will find plenty of nostalgia here. While it does take you back to some of those 90s games, too often it feels like it could’ve left some of it behind.

Mario Golf Super Rush lives up to its title; everything feels a little uncooked and rushed. The Adventure Mode is meant to be the tentpole feature, but I just wanted it to be over and have everything unlocked. The new modes, Speed Golf and Battle Golf, are fun with real people, as is the rest of the game. Super Rush is fun with a group of friends, either in person or online, but lacking for everyone else. the game has some fun ideas but fails to sink the putt on so many others.

Tropico 6's Switch port is one for fans of the series or the genre. If you're not a fan, you might not be able to struggle through the performance of the game as you learn the game's many systems and depth. It is still a joy to be able to play these types of games on the go; they're nearly there.

Shining Resonance Refrain is a decent action RPG. While the story doesn’t really tread any new ground, the characters are likeable enough to want to see it through. The combat gameplay is fun if you enjoy a fast-paced battle, and the musical elements add a neat feature on top of the usual mechanics. And it’s all playable on a portable device. While it’s harder to recommend this over more recent games of this genre, If you can’t get enough of action RPG’s then Shining Resonance has something to offer.

Inversus DELUXE is at its best when playing with others, but very quickly turns to its worst when there aren't any others playing it. While conceptually excellent and executed wonderfully, it relies too heavily on a user base that just doesn't exist. There's a good game in Inversus, and the potential to expand upon the core concepts is gigantic but, as it stands, it falls just short of delivering a solid enough experience to keep playing.

Super Dragon Ball Heroes is an overwhelmingly mediocre game from a gameplay or narrative perspective. It’s not bad, but it’s quite boring and shallow. There’s probably more here for avid fans of the series than there is for someone looking for an interesting game or a challenging strategy experience.

Sonic Frontiers is such a difficult game to judge, and that challenge is only compounded when you add in the limitations of the Switch hardware. It’s a game that does so many things right and is an exciting new direction for the blue blur, but I’ve never had so many dramatic swings of my enjoyment of a game throughout its playtime. There are some ecstatic highs to be had throughout the game, but frequent minor niggles and the occasional idea that doesn’t land hold it back from greatness. Combine that with the serious drawbacks of the weaker Switch hardware which undeniably hamper the experience and you have a game that, whilst having a ton of fun to offer, will require you to overlook a heap of mitigating quibbles to get there.

The Vehicle Kit is definitely the best Labo kit so far, it has the best of the Variety Kit, actual variety and the best of the Robot Kit and that's a proper game. It's also a lot of fun to build, even if it does take a while to get started. The Adventure mode is leaps and bounds over anything in the other kits and the other included modes are just a nice icing on the cake. If you only pick up one Labo kit, it's this one.

De Mambo is odd. De Mambo knows how odd it is, and bathes in the identity that it has created for itself. What you’ll find here is a fascinatingly strange little game with style that I haven’t quite seen before. If you’re looking for another charming little multiplayer experience to add to your portable library, De Mambo might be something you want to check out. It’s not perfect, but there’s definitely some good here that outshines its flaws.

Little Nightmares III continues to deliver on gross, slimy and twisted horrors. This creepy adventure manages to keep the scenery fresh enough the third time around, while still feeling familiar in good ways. If you liked the previous games, then you’re likely to enjoy diving in, even if this title is a little more of a slow burn than its predecessor. If this is your first nightmare, it’s a good jumping in point too.

Lost Sphear is an RPG that’s hard to recommend to everyone, offering a mixed and unbalanced experience. The combat is fast-paced, rewarding and challenging yet sometimes garish. The Spiritnite system is fantastic and yet the Vulcosuits feel undercooked. All in all, Lost Sphear offers an inconsistent experience that is ultimately brought down by an overwhelming sense of tedium and repetition.

QUBE 2 is an enjoyable physics-based puzzler, but unfortunately, the game does falter once you take the focus away from the puzzles. While it struggles with visual and technical issues, they’re not enough to keep you from getting to the end of the story. It’s not that the game is bad, the Switch version is just not the most ideal option with the game available on other consoles. If you want a puzzle game that gives you a limited amount of tools to work out how they all fit together, there is still enough to like here to give it a try.

Kirby’s Blowout Blast is easily my favourite of the mini games released on the 3DS due to how much more depth is has compared to the others. You’re getting around 5-6 hours of play from your $10 purchase, making it a good way to tide you over until Kirby returns later this year on the 3DS and Switch in 2018.

Ultimately I found Hey! Pikmin boring and tedious to play. While younger audiences might find the game enjoyable, had I not been reviewing the game I would have dropped it after an hour or so.

ChromaGun is a decent puzzler that plays off its Portal inspiration yet manages to deliver a unique take on chamber-style gameplay. It stretches the idea of primary colours out nicely and offers many hours of experimental gameplay.

A solid mini-game collection that might just serve as a great addition to your game nights as the Olympics draw nearer. Steer clear of a few dud events and you’ll find a satisfying multiplayer experience on offer, and the highly varied story mode means there’s something here for the solo player too. It won’t set your world on fire, but it’s hard not to have fun as you go for gold, even if the game never quite makes it to the top podium.

NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 is a reasonably fun revisitation of the first game, carrying over the strong improvements its predecessor gained from patches, including a better shooting system. However, there’s not much in the way of deeply engaging content to keep you playing more than a couple of pickup games with your friends.

Football Manager 2019 Touch fills a very specific niche, and I fully recognise that I’m not the target audience. That said, football superfans and management sim aficionados will no doubt find a lot to sink their teeth — and time — into. It doesn’t look perhaps as good as it could, and the user experience leaves a lot to be desired, but deep down, there’s something compelling here, even if it’s not for everybody.

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.

Dr Kawashima's Devilish Brain Training does everything it sets out to do, but it doesn't try to be particularly ambitious. If you've played previous Brain Training games before, you know exactly what you're getting into, but it's not an experience for everybody.

Akane isn’t a game that’s looking to take you on an epic story of revenge. It’s one very specific thing and that’s a single arena score attack game within a futuristic cyberpunk future. It’s fun enough while it lasts and some will enjoy it way longer than others, depending on how much you enjoy the gameplay loop. It might not be a long game overflowing with content but it is a fun arcade style game that comes are a suitable price. There’s no shortage of bad games out cheap on the eShop, but Akane isn’t one of them.

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.

Dillon’s Dead-Heat Breakers makes the most effort to provide an experience that doesn’t grow old, but the scenarios it puts in place aren’t enough to cover its lengthy playtime and it comes across as feeling rather repetitive. Dillon hasn’t quite got his big break yet, and this definitely steps in the right direction, but he’s not quite at the point where he can mingle with the Inklings and Spring Boy.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX is a difficult game to recommend. That’s not to say it’s bad by any stretch of the imagination — it’s an excellent game, just like its predecessors on the GBA and DS — but Mystery Dungeon games tend to be incredibly hit and miss. You either love the genre or you hate it. If you love it, there’s a lot of joy to be had here, especially if you played Red or Blue Rescue Team. If you don’t love it, there’s not a lot here that makes it worth playing, short of it being a cute little game about adorable Pokémon. More than anything though, Rescue Team DX is a textbook example of both what to do and what not to do in a remake, in a balancing act that lands more often than it falls.

The basketball itself is solid, it alternates between looking really nice and surprisingly dated. The new shot meter will divide people, but it’s optional and one of the few changes from last year's game. The microtransactions were previously a sore point with 2K20, and it is even sorer here. For a full-priced AAA game, you should never feel like you have to spend more money to engage with half of the game. If you really want the most up to date NBA game and the MyTeam seasons then 2K21 is the obvious choice. Otherwise, NBA 2K21 is mostly the same game you played last year.

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.

Automachef is complicated and sometimes downright difficult, but effortlessly charming and satisfying to crack once you finally get the gist of things. If you’ve ever been curious about an automation game, grab your apron and your toolbox, and witness your own mechanical cooking genius.

Red Wings: Aces of the Sky is alright, it all really depends on how much you enjoy your aerial combat. If you don’t want to get bogged down in simulation but still want something a little grounded, then there is fun to be had here.

Bubble Bobble 4 Friends is so full of unrealised potential. Whether it be the unfairly punishing difficulty, unsatisfying rewards, or confusing visual design, the game felt frustrating to complete. The short campaign feels like it lasts a century, and the multiplayer does little to enhance the experience. Unless you’re a diehard fan, give Bubble Bobble 4 Friends a skip.

Typoman may not be for everyone, but for those who enjoy a platformer with a unique mechanic will find something here. It is an interesting look into the power of words, the harm negative ones can cause and the light positive ones bring.

FIFA 18 is a brilliant game for the Switch, it's custom built for the system, it plays to the strength of the console's local multiplayer and it's, for the most part, fully featured. It doesn't matter that the visuals don't look as good because it runs great, feels great, and is fun to play. However this isn't the perfect FIFA 18 experience overall; the online mode is bare-bones and is missing features even Nintendo wouldn't even leave out and for a lot of people, that's going to be a deal breaker. If you can live with what's missing in FIFA 18, you shouldn't look past this terrific first effort by EA. Hopefully next year they can bring the Switch version up to complete feature parity because we can look past how it looks considering it is a good soccer title underneath.

One Piece: Unlimited World Red was built purely for fans. If you were hoping it would be a good entryway into the series, I’d recommend looking elsewhere. The gameplay it offers is far from mind blowing, but overall, the game has a certain charm to it that kept me playing for hours and hours. For all the Straw Hat diehards out there, there’s a pretty good chance you won’t regret giving this game a go.

Peril On Gorgon isn’t a brilliant, game-changing expansion, but it is a great, cohesive part of the Outer Worlds experience. It doesn’t feel like a reason to return to an old character - trying to re-familiarise yourself with the specific strategies of an old build is a pain, and it’ll rob you of the smooth fit this has with the rest of the game. As an excuse to start from scratch, or for new players, it feels like part of a complete experience, which is far and above how I feel about most DLC. Adding to that is the fact that the base game also finally runs well on Switch - if you bounced on this before, it’s well worth a go now.

There’s a growing sense that it’s difficult to keep devising novel games that work in this format. The Jackbox Party Pack 10 takes some safe retreads through familiar territory with fun, if somewhat uninspired entries like Tee K.O. 2 and Time Jinx. But in an attempt to provide something fresh, games like Hypnotorious and Fixy Text wind up being a bit of a mess. There’s still fun to be had with a group of friends, but this is a mixed bag of an entry in a series that’s looking increasingly in need of a shot in the arm.

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.

Crash Drive 3 is sure to hook you for hours on the first play with its flipping fun and crossplay compatibility, but a return visit to this maybe-mobile game is up to you in a market flooded with good car video games.

The ToyCon Garage offers some surprisingly powerful tools for you to come up with your own creations, but you’ll need to put some significant time in to learn the ins and outs of them. Time will tell whether Labo ends up being a success for Nintendo, but it’s something I’m thankful for them attempting.