Nintendo has managed, not once, but twice now in 2017 to take one of their beloved franchises, give it a breath of fresh air while still retaining the core of what made the series great in the first time. Super Mario Odyssey is a wonder and shows everyone why Mario is still king.

Tears of the Kingdom is Nintendo's most grandiose game ever. It's now the best Zelda game ever crafted, and again one of the best games of all time. The two titles will go down in history as one of the best back-to-back releases in any media of all time.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom didn’t sell as well as Breath of the Wild, and if you have to pick only one, you’ll probably go with the latter. But if you haven’t played it at all, now’s the perfect time to check it out at its silky smooth best on the Nintendo Switch 2. Hyrule in Tears is a world worth exploring again.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is still a phenomenal game, and it's now best played on the Nintendo Switch 2, with improved loading times, higher-resolution graphics, and that silky-smooth frame rate. Zelda Notes is entirely optional if you want to ignore it — and hopefully that sort of addition isn’t the main reason upgrades cost more (or anything).

Metroid Prime Remastered gives a classic game a new lease on life whilst simultaneously building anticipation for the long-awaited Metroid Prime 4. For now, we all need to keep our fingers crossed that Nintendo is giving Prime 2 and 3, and more GameCube games, this level of remaster treatment. If you've only gotten into Metroid in more recent years or played Prime back in the day, this game is worth checking out.

Persona 5 Royal is, as Persona 5 always has been, an incredibly solid experience on Switch. Royal is the very best version of the game, with tweaks and additions that make it a big step up from the original. It’s still far too long, and the added content certainly doesn’t ease that pain, but if you can push through it, you’ll find a game that stands at the top of its genre.

Hades is a triumphant take on roguelites and without a doubt a top-shelf example in the genre. The game is always unfolding and you always feel like you’re progressing, even if you get smacked down a short way in. It’s aesthetically beautiful and challenging enough to spur you onward without feeling impossible. I can’t recommend this enough to anyone looking for a new single-player dungeon crawler.

What else can I say? Undertale is spectacular, even three years later. It’s a game that deserves every bit of praise that it receives, and a game that the people who love it are going to remember for a long, long time. I can’t express how happy I am to have had the opportunity to experience it again on the Switch.

Super Smash Bros Ultimate is a celebration of Nintendo’s long history, of the video game medium, and of the people who have poured their own spirits into crafting these characters, worlds and experiences we are all fortunate enough to have enjoyed over the years. It's a meticulously-crafted joy to play that I will surely be returning to for years to come.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder will surprise you at every turn and is one of the best 2D Mario games alongside Super Mario World and Super Mario Bros. 3. It's the visual refresh, the exciting new ideas and the polish we've needed for a while. If only there were an adjective to describe it in one word.

Celeste transcends its status as a 2D-platforming game. It will challenge you at every step, while always checking in to offer you support. Celeste is a beautifully human experience that reminds us that games are capable of showing genuine emotion and conveying the beauty of our imperfections. Buy and play this game as soon as you are able.

Even if you've already played thew original to death, the inclusion of Battle Mode and the general level of extra polish the game has received will be enough to get you to double dip. The icing on the cake is that the game can now be played anywhere, with multiplayer out of the box. The silky smooth graphics are impressive for what is technically a portable game, while the punchy jazz-inspired soundtrack just gets better with age.

If you enjoy single player platformers with an interesting narrative, then Inside should be right up your alley. If you haven’t played the game on anything else yet then the Switch is the perfect console to have it on. If you have played it then you don’t need this review to tell you how good it is.

I’m not sure definitive edition does it justice, Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive edition is the ultimate version of what was already a great game. How many other games can be replayed as a traditional top-down 16 bit RPG?

If you loved Sonic Mania, Plus is an essential purchase. It’s more Sonic Mania, but different.

It’s not flawless, but what they’ve done here is take a character who’s been out in the wild and bring Donkey Kong back home, with Nintendo putting its own stamp on DK in a fresh new way. Like Breath of the Wild and Odyssey, Nintendo has taken a cornerstone character, thrown out most of the rulebook, but kept the soul. Donkey Kong Bananza feels like a blueprint for DK’s future, and a reminder of how ambitious and richly designed Nintendo’s games can be. Bananza is here now, though—and it’s really something special.

Treasure Trove is packed to the brim with content and the different ways you can play through these games is wonderfully broad. Whether its co-op or solo, handheld or docked – it’s up to you. I don’t care. Just go play Shovel Knight.

Ori and the Blind Forest remains delightful on Switch in 2019 with a near-flawless port of one of the most beautiful games made in recent years. Playing this in handheld is an absolute treat.

Persona 4 Golden has always been one of the most solid games in the Persona series, and the Switch port is no exception. It’s a lovely story bolstered by a fantastic combat system, and it’s worth playing for newcomers and veterans alike.

I fell in love with Hollow Knight from the moment I started up the game on Switch. It’s a beautiful, touching experience that has no trouble going toe-to-toe with even some of the biggest games on Switch. Aussie devs Team Cherry have gone above and beyond to make Hollow Knight one of the most enjoyable experiences the Switch has to offer, in what will be remembered as possibly the best third-party game on the system to date.

Resident Evil Requiem manages to keep the series moving forward, even when it looks back to its past. Seeing how good Requiem looked and how well it ran, I have hope in seeing new Capcom games continuing to hit the Switch 2 day-and-date with the more powerful consoles. If you love Resident Evil games, then you don’t need me to tell you to get this game. If you’re looking for the right time to dip your toe into the Resident Evil waters, then Requiem gives you enough of the scary and shooty parts the series has kept going this long.

Stylish, spectacular, and satisfying, the Bayonetta games are among the best action titles I’ve ever played.

Xenoblade Chronicles is exactly what it purports to be; simply the best way to play a beloved classic. A decade on, Xenoblade Chronicles is just as fantastic on Switch as the day it launched, despite some minor failings. Sure, it can get a bit ugly at times, and it's still a bit rough around the edges, but at the end of the day, between its gigantic quality-of-life changes and a fantastic new story chapter for long-time fans, there's little else you could ask for.

With movement and combat this good it would be criminal to not see it appear more. If you love sidescrolling platformers with a healthy heaping of combat that will put your skills to the test, your next step should be buying Dead Cells.

Final Fantasy Remake 7 Intergrade is one of the best-looking games on the Switch 2 to date, with an incredible port that compromises on very little to deliver a fantastic version of an already stunning game. Whether you’re a lifelong FF7 fan who’s never dipped their toes into the remake trilogy, a newcomer to the mythos, or just looking to replay it again ahead of the finale, the Switch 2 is one of the best ways to play.

Pokémon Pokopia is a surprisingly thoughtful love letter to the Kanto region, and the Pokémon world as a whole, wrapped up in delightful, cosy sandbox gameplay. It gracefully walks the line between familiar and fresh at every point, taking few missteps along the way and delivering one of the best Pokémon spinoffs in decades.

There’s no such thing as a perfect video game, but for me, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 comes as close to perfect as you can get. It’s a thoughtful, charming, sombre experience, punctuated by expertly-crafted moments of joy and wonder that come together to leave a lasting impression that sticks with you long after you put down the controller. I don’t know what the future holds for the Xenoblade series, but I do know that, with Xenoblade Chronicles 3, it’s leaving a wonderful legacy in gaming.

Bowser’s Fury, like 3D World seven years ago, is a joy to play, and again full of fresh ideas and a new way to play Mario. This is an excellent Mario package for new Switch players and returning ones just the same.

Intelligent Systems and Koei Tecmo have come together to create an absolute masterpiece of a strategy game. RPG elements have been seamlessly integrated into the Fire Emblem series and all the additional activities that can be partaken in just add more to the characters in this world. The main draw for the Fire Emblem series, the combat, is the best it has ever been. It has its minor issues, but what game doesn’t? I can’t recommend Fire Emblem: Three Houses enough, it is one of those titles that we will still be discussing in a decade’s time.

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.

With plenty of challenge and freedom to play the way you want, Mark of the Ninja’s staying power as one of the best stealth games available is a testament to its incredible design. Packed with all the previously released content, Mark of the Ninja: Remastered on Switch is perfect for first-timers, plus anyone looking for another playthrough.

Death's Door tightly packs a challenging action-adventure into some of the more enjoyable ten hours of 2021. It's a game deserving of the hype and spots on game of the year lists. Unfortunately, there aren't any difficulty options to help make the game more accessible. While it is a challenging game, it's a challenge that you feel you can overcome as you unravel what is going on in the department.

Ubisoft has struggled with what to do with the Prince of Persia series; the Lost Crown is the revival the series needs. If you're a fan of the previous games or the Metroidvania genre, you should get The Lost Crown. Or even if you miss Rayman Origins/Legends, get this game! It is nice to see the series back, and I hope it's not the last we see of it.

FAR: Lone Sails is one of those special games that does so much with the small amount of time it asks for. Completing it in one or two sittings feels entirely achievable, and has just enough depth to its gameplay to feel engaging without being bothersome. The experience it delivers is a wholesome jaunt through the end of the world that put a smile on my face and warmth in my heart.

It's a cliché, but Metroid Dread won't be a game for everyone. If you like a game that doesn't hold your hand at all, is brutally difficult, requires precision from every movement and busts your back, you'll love Samus' latest mission. If not, your experience will vary depending on how much you can put up with the genre’s pitfalls and what might be considered obtuse design decisions. Metroid Dread almost broke me several times, but it might just be what you're after. It took a while, but Samus is back, and hopefully not going away for so long this time.

Super Mario Maker 2 is a much needed and long awaited addition to the Switch. Even the smaller additions to course making goes a long way to giving players the tools they need to make courses that you wouldn’t be able to distinguish from the real deal. If you’re not interested in building levels, there’s plenty to play in the story mode and the content from the Course World will ensure there’s content for years to come. While there are some limitations that might irk hardcore course builders, there is so much more to like about the game. How can you pass up a Mario game that has the most inventive courses the series has seen in years.

Monster Hunter Rise is, put simply, the very best Monster Hunter game to date. Everything it does, it does well, and everything it doesn't do is just around the corner. It's a beautiful, enjoyable, exciting game, taking all the best parts of World and combining it with all the best parts of classic Monster Hunter, then adding a swathe of new features, monsters, play-styles, and more. It's a sharp incline for the series, a rise to the top if you'll forgive the pun, and it's likely to entertain and captivate for weeks, months, and years on end. If you only ever play one Monster Hunter game in your life, make it this one.

If you’ve been waiting for a Thousand-Year Door remaster/remake for many years, let’s not pretend you’re not already getting this when possible. If you are still reading because you just want to be sure, you can relax; Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is still a great game. Paper Mario is not only still a great game but remains one of, if not the best, Paper Mario games. If you haven’t had the chance to play this game when it was first released, you’re in for a treat. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is not only a classic Mario RPG but a must-buy for the Switch.

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

SteamWorld Dig 2 is what I want out of more games. A game that wants to be played, that doesn’t punish you for enjoying it your own way. You can tell that everything about this game is so deliberate and thought out, so much care went into this world, and you’re invited to be a part of it. So don’t wait, dig in!

Shadows Over Loathing is brilliant. The adventure RPG stuff works well, the comedy is right up my alley and there's so much to see and do. I honestly kept thinking it was so good that it had have a short runtime but nope, the chapters just keep rolling in. Ocean City is the place to be!

Sam & Max The Devil’s Playhouse wraps up the (formerly) Telltale Games series, giving us more of the Freelance Police duo while changing up enough to keep a third game fresh. The remaster treatment makes the game look and sound better, but is still very much the same game. Luckily, it also happens to be a good one! If you haven’t played one of the games in the series before, this is a strange point to jump in – go play the other games first. For longtime Sam & Max fans, you’ve likely been waiting for this re-release already, but it’s worth checking out this conclusion to the series.

Tempopo is a phenomenal puzzle game that excels in just about everything it tries to do, taking inspirations from some of the best games in the genre and turning them into something truly unique and truly special. It’s a gorgeous audiovisual experience that puts your brain into a puzzle-solving frenzy, and it’s one of the best puzzle games you’ll ever play.

Overall, Stardew Valley is a must-own indie title for the Switch. The game has such a wide variety of activities to take part in, so you’re never left wondering what to do next. Beyond a few minor, easily fixable gripes, I found myself losing hours of the day each time I picked the game up. The Switch is an indie machine right now, and this is the current, shining example.

Quake is still a fantastic game all these years later; it's a pure first-person shooter experience without the fluff. Like the Doom ports before it, we've got a complete package here. An extra stuffed campaign, cooperative play, deathmatch locally and online, voice chat, and display options are all for a meagre price tag. Quake is a lesson on presenting an older game so everyone can enjoy it now and into the future.

Cuphead is a truly special game. An Xbox exclusive being released on the Switch. The announcement on the Nindies Showcase was an important one that received a lot of attention and fanfare. Luckily, Cuphead is a game that can back up the importance and expectations that have been thrust upon it. There doesn’t feel like any technical downgrades on its transition to Switch. Cuphead is a difficult, yet beautiful game that doesn’t take itself too seriously, yet encourages a sense of learning from the player.

Astral Chain is up there with Platinum’s best games. Once jumping into the story I wanted to keep playing, looking forward to seeing where it would go next. For everything I’ve written here, there’s still so much I feel I’ve left out. While it’s a long wait for Bayonetta 3, Astral Chain is an outstanding game on its own. If you’re a fan of action games or sci-fi anime, Astral Chain is a must buy.

Pokémon Sun and Moon make terrific changes the twenty-year-old formula, allowing new fans and returning ones back into the series with a wonderful lively and colourful world. It's just a little too easy for us who have been here from the start - but it's easy to forgot that when you're having such a blast.

Dragon Ball FighterZ is an incredibly fun fighter for both beginners and veterans. Its utterly gorgeous visuals truly capture the look and feel of the Dragon Ball anime, and its streamlined mechanics make for a remarkable gameplay experience. The tutorial leaves a lot to be desired, and the difficulty curve in the story mode is a bit too flat, but if you can get past that, this is the perfect game for fans of both Dragon Ball and the fighter genre.

It feels like Pikmin 4 revitalises the Pikmin series. Bringing Oatchi along for this new adventure improves navigating the oversized world and its many dangers. Nintendo has managed to make the series more approachable than ever whilst not holding back on swiftly wiping out your entire party if you get caught up in a surprise attack. Not only is there plenty to do, but it's all enjoyable enough you want to 100% every area. I wouldn't be surprised if there is a fair wait until the next Pikmin game, but it'll be hard to top Pikmin 4.

Enter the Gungeon is dangerously easy to jump back into for ‘just one more game’. It’s been out for a while on other consoles, but it is the perfect fit on the Switch as you can try and squeeze in another run for the gun wherever you may be. With great pixel art filled with personality, appropriate music, and fun gameplay, it’s not hard to sink many hours into Enter the Gungeon.

Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 are tremendous games and remain among the best Mario experiences. The packaging here on Switch between the two games is a little mixed, with controls never quite matching the originals and odd graphical quirks that ideally should be fixed. However, the games themselves do all the talking, and playing them again is an experience you simply need to have.

Link's Awakening, all these years later, is still an amazing Zelda title, it's a flood of nostalgia for those who have played it before, and if you haven't it's not one of those "old games" that people say were good, but they're just clouded by nostalgia. The slowdowns in the framerate is a little blemish, as that's the kinda thing that doesn't hold up over time. But with the limitations of the Game Boy removed, modern graphics and art, all new music — Link's Awakening continues to the littlest Zelda title with the biggest heart.

Pokémon Sun and Moon make terrific changes the twenty-year-old formula, allowing new fans and returning ones back into the series with a wonderful lively and colourful world. It's just a little too easy for us who have been here from the start - but it's easy to forgot that when you're having such a blast.

All in, SteamWorld Heist is a fantastic entry in the turn based strategy genre. The visual style is trademark SteamWorld and shines on the Wii U, while the gameplay feels more direct and impactful thanks to it’s reliance on player aiming rather than chance.

Overcooked: All You Can Eat is an easy sell to co-op players who revel in chaos. If you’ve already forked out for the two games and their DLC, this is likely salt on the wound. It’s hard to recommend getting this game if you’re going to go it alone. It’s doable, but this is a game that really excels with others to join. It’s been out for a while now, but with the birthday update it’s the icing on the cake.

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?

There is No Game: Wrong Dimension is paradoxically a game that is a ray of light in what has been a pretty crappy year. Draw Me A Pixel have put together a game full of humour and heart while making you peel away layer after layer of the game onion. While I have been purposefully broad about the game’s contents, I recommend this game to any point and click fan or anyone who might enjoy a silly adventure and wants to play something nice.

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is a worthwhile upgrade to the base game, bringing with it things that fans have wanted for a very long time — but it also leaves some of the game’s more frustrating quirks intact, in a way that feels a little bit like a missed opportunity. It’s still a fantastic game, but it’s hard not to feel like too much was left on the table when addressing the game’s flaws.

Rocket League is an indie success story, and to have it in the Switch's library year-one is terrific. Look at all the jaggies you like and mock the lower resolution the game runs at if you feel the need, but this is Rocket League, portable and it runs beautifully. Everything is here, nothing has been missed and there are bonuses for Switch owners not only with exclusive Mario cars and hats but also the ability to take it anywhere. A feature that cannot be overlooked. Rocket League is a really deep game. Following the clichéd easy to learn, hard to master approach holds Rocket League in good stead. You're going to want to put in the hours to be the best you can - but the only thing that's really going to stop you is sleep. You're not going to put this one down.

The Great Ace Attorney feels like a passion project where Shu Takumi gets to explore his interests in Japanese history and classic literature, while developing a new cast with no baggage. His team also gets to flex their muscles with improved technology and a bigger budget, providing a keen sense of style that’s unlike anything else in the series. It shakes up the foundation of the Ace Attorney formula with a gripping story bolstered by interesting mechanical improvements. While Ryunosuke and Susato have a clear, contained story across the two games I would love to see more of their adventures in the future.

While there are a thousand or so indie games on the Switch already. It’s hard to look past The Messenger as a game that should be in everyone’s home menu. The gameplay is very responsive, and the game is a lot of fun as well. However, the lack of a challenge may be something that would turn platforming fans away from the game. Then, on the other hand, the dialogue is very witty, and it is worth reading every text box that pops up. There is definite room for improvement for a possible sequel, but The Messenger is definitely worth checking out.

Disco Elysium is strange, ground-breaking, and incredibly funny. No combat, not really an RPG, but something boldly new. A cacophony of internal personalities resting on the membrane of consciousness.

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.

On a console seemingly packed with intense, time-consuming games like Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Shovel Knight, Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition feels like a breath of fresh air. With its endless possibilities and freeform gameplay structure, it can be as casual or intense as you want it to be. Coupled with the ability to undock and take it on the go without having to submit to finicky touch-screen controls, this might just be the best version of Minecraft on the market, and it is undoubtedly one of the best games currently available on the Switch.

Tropical Freeze is a pinnacle of modern 2D platform games, offering an immense challenge while improving on the original, much revered original trilogy. Funky Kong’s inclusion is clearly well-intentioned. If you know you’ll need it, Funky is a fantastic way to open the game to new audiences who might have bounced off the game’s difficulty.

There’s a reason Mario Kart sells as well as it does (just ignore that it’s bundled with the console this time). It’s truly a game anyone can enjoy, and with the addition of new Knockout Tour modes, integration with GameChat, and the free-roam map that fundamentally changes how Mario Kart works, there’s truly something for everyone here. We’ve never seen Mario Kart look, run, and sound this good. Mario Kart World is peak Mario Kart.

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.

Guacamelee is a tightly crafted, masterfully executed game that borrows and refines ideas from amongst the best in the industry that leaves you wanting more. Lucky for us, the sequel is just around the corner, and this is the perfect appetiser. If you haven’t played it before, don’t let this Switch port pass you by.

Nightdive knows what they’re doing with these releases, and it’s great to see Heretic and Hexen updated for a modern audience—whether that’s people discovering them for the first time, or people like me coming back after too many years. There are plenty of changes here for the better, though a few weird ones too, like some maps being different. Still, that shouldn’t stop you from having a great time if you’re a fan of the era.

There’s a lot of pinball games on the Switch eShop at the moment, and a lot of them aren’t great. Star Wars Pinball is not one of these games, it's yet again Zen Studios flexing its Pinball prowess and giving Star Wars fans an amazing array of tables to play, no matter what era of Star Wars you love. You could piece together all the Star Wars tables on other platforms, but then you’d be missing out the game's really fun career mode and Force Powers. The force is strong with this one.

So the question remains: does Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance justify its existence? I’d argue it doesn’t. I mean it’s a good game, SMT 5 always was, and it’s better than the original version of the game. I can’t fault it for what it is, but I can fault it for what it isn’t. It isn’t a DLC, and it isn’t a big enough change to justify charging $20 more than the last game, and both of those things are frustrating. If you’ve played it before, you can probably skip it, otherwise, enjoy playing the best version of an already good game.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a more than competent and enjoyable racer. Even with its big CrossWorld mechanic, it still feels pretty traditional when compared to other big mascot racers like Mario Kart World and Kirby Air Riders. While it does have its fair share of flaws, ultimately most of them won’t matter while you’re having a high-speed, multi-vehicle race through Sonic-themed race tracks.

Capcom has lovingly crafted a collection of some of their best fighting game work. Everything runs as it should, and you can customise it to look how you want. It's adjustable for those who have been playing these games their entire lives, while still being welcoming to someone who just wants to see what all the fuss has been about.

Luigi’s Mansion 3 is the best in the series, gooey hands down. Its fully co-op compatible story mode constantly delights and innovates, taking full advantage of Luigi and Gooigi’s vacuuming antics, both old and new. Although the dedicated multiplayer modes ultimately aren’t going to sustain repeat visits, they are a sideshow to the story’s main haunt.

If someone told me that I would someday enjoy the frantic experiences of a twin-stick shooter, I’d have told them they were bonkers... yet here we are! It’s got well-designed characters with unique personalities and skill sets, as well as a tough yet fair difficulty curve. Being able to play with a single-stick is a fantastic edition for the Switch version, and while it’s a pain when big enemies are around, it really does work. If only the game came out a couple of months ago, I would have voted for it in our recent top 19 Switch games list.

Sonic Mania is the culmination of a huge amount of work, from people peerlessly passionate about Sonic’s 2D games. Sega took a risk allowing outsiders to take the reins of their defining characteristics and it’s resulted in the best Sonic game in decades. It’s not perfect – there are occasional glitches, some people might find the crushing deaths and general difficulty of later levels a little off-putting – but as after being disappointed with many of Sega’s past attempts at following up Sonic’s early success, Mania did what I had almost given up hope on being possible. Christian Whitehead, Headcannon, and PagodaWest Games have proven they absolutely understand what made Sonic great in the Mega Drive days and have modernised this essence for a modern audience with a follow-up worthy of standing with the best in the series.

Nintendo’s bold gambit of trusting one of their most precious franchises with Brace Yourself Games has paid off in creating an essential Switch experience. Cadence of Hyrule is a wonderful musical adventure, giving The Legend of Zelda series a delightfully fresh perspective. Also, if you didn’t already know Danny Baranowsky, you do now. It’s a bloody good time to be a Zelda fan.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is Kingdom Battle but all grown up. The battle system has evolved to something more dynamic, and the game's overworld, characters, and presentation have been taken to the next level. You don't have to be a big strategy nerd to enjoy Sparks of Hope, as there are difficulty and accessibility options to let you enjoy just the funny story. Sparks of Hope has a lot of heart, is funny and fun to play, but that shouldn't be a surprise anymore.

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.

The looming question over Samus Returns is whether it will join the ranks of esteemed titles such as the approachable Zero Mission, or the seemingly untouchable Super Metroid. I was in no rush to play it again after finishing it just once, but what MercurySteam have provided here is a solid game – one that easily surpasses the original it’s based on, yet still respects the vision of the creators who built it. It’s so exciting to say this, but Metroid is well and truly back and hopefully here to stay.

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.

Is Super Mario Bros. Wonder: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park better than just more Super Mario Bros. Wonder with more stages and more Wonder effects? We’ll never know, but what is here is a fun package of minigames built into the Wonder mould, you’ll just need to navigate the slightly confusing way the modes are all laid out, but least you’ll have your friends with you to do so.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is the Zelda game I’ve always wanted, putting Hyrule’s princess into the thick of it for the first time and coming up with incredible results. The gameplay loop is phenomenal, the story is lovely, and with any luck this will be the first of many adventures for the Zelda series’ leading lady.

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.

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.

Graphite Lab have crafted something really special on the foundation of a classic. A tight puzzle-platformer with an unique and expertly executed premise, qomp2 is a stroke of genius 50 years in the making.

The Binding of Isaac is a game where you’ll get out what you put in. There’s so much to uncover that fleshes out the simple mechanics into a deep and rich experience, but you have to work for it. If you’re someone who hates looking up wikis or guides to assist with playing games, then it’s definitely not for you. The portability of the Switch version makes it more enjoyable than those on other platforms, but the unfortunate Australian pricing of it complicates recommending it because it’s just too much.

Cook Serve Delicious 2 is the kind of food management the Switch could do with more of. It’s also a game perfectly suited for the Switch’s portability over the other versions. While there are other popular cooking games like Overcooked it is very different from CSD. CSD2 is the raging fire, containing a heap of dishes including previous free DLC updates that increased the size of the menu even more.

Loco Motive is a fun and funny murder mystery adventure. For the small quibbles, it is a really enjoyable trip. I recommend Loco Motive in a heartbeat to anyone who enjoys a good point-and-click adventure, or even if you just thought the game looked fun. With such a good first release, I look forward to seeing what Robust Games comes up with after this.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has set a new benchmark in what you can squeeze out of the Switch. Despite all the compromises that had to be made to ensure the steadiest performance possible, it is still a beautiful game. Being the complete game there is 100-200 hours worth of gameplay to explore, with all the DLC and updates through the games life span all included. This isn’t some compromised, cut down version of the Witcher, you’re getting the whole game and you can play it anywhere you take your Switch.

Capcom set a high bar with this DLC, not only with a wildly successful game but their promotional game pulled no punches either, but did they Rise to the challenge? Yes, I think they did. Sunbreak is full of quality of life changes, customisation options, updated, variant, and new monsters. Get your friends together because you’re not going to want to be Palamute about this expansion. Even with its issues, overall Sunbreak is a great addition, one that definitely enhances the experience of Rise.

Overall I highly recommend Dungeons of Dreadrock 2 for anyone who likes pixel games, mystery or puzzles! You’re in for a challenging yet fun time that you can pick up and put down without any worry.

Two Point Hospital triumphantly succeeds on multiple fronts. It succeeds as a deeply rewarding simulation experience with a fantastic learning curve and a good challenge. Additionally, the port quality from the folks at Two Point Studios and Red Kite Games is phenomenally smooth on Nintendo Switch - even when your hospital halls are filled with dying patients.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 is a great remake, made even better by being on the Switch. While the skaters and stages may have aged, they’ve still got it. Hopefully, this is the game to revitalise the Tony Hawk games; even some more remakes would be excellent. With Vicarious Visions now working on other projects, hopefully, Activision can keep the momentum going and usher in a new era of great Tony Hawk Pro Skater games. It might’ve been a wait, but the Switch is the best way to sneak in another run.

Pikmin 3 Deluxe, as a port, is excellent. It’s refined, adjusted, and perfected to the best degree it could be. As a game, Pikmin 3 leaves a little more to be desired; its combat could use a lot of work, and its puzzling elements (while good) could be improved somewhat too. But where it lacks in decisive game design, it makes up for in spades and spades of unbridled charm. It’s a strong base for what could be a wonderful Pikmin 4… maybe some day.

Overall, Dragon Quest Builders 2 is just a damn nice game to play. There are loads of small improvements here that really add up, and the game has a lovely atmosphere. If you were ever curious about the original and didn’t play it, I would recommend skipping straight to Builders 2 and diving in as soon as you can. Happy building!

West of Loathing is one of the most fun and funniest Adventure/point and click game that I have played in some time. Combat rarely gets in the way of the adventure, and everything moves at a good pace to get you back to doing silly things that will keep you smiling through most of the games’ playing time. If you’re looking for a game with laughs that don’t lean too hard on using pop culture references or mean-spirited jokes at peoples’ expense, then West of Loathing is worth checking out.