Dominick Ashtear
Deltarune is the follow-up to the critically acclaimed indie RPG Undertale. The first two chapters have all of the great humor, music, writing, and storytelling you would expect from Toby Fox and makes the series's world much deeper and more mysterious.
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl is a great idea with some powerful nostalgia and a winning formula behind it, but the execution is lacking. With lackluster aesthetics, spotty online issues, and a host of other issues, it's not a great experience for those accustomed to highly polished alternatives, namely, Super Smash Bros. I believe it will find its audience, but it doesn't straddle the line between casual and competitive as effectively as the original Nick cartoons seamlessly wove adult jokes into children's shows. Ultimately, the idea may be more exciting than playing the actual game.
Sometimes a minigame is so good, so pure, that it inspires someone to make something truly special. The folks at Studio Somewhere loved Monkey Target from Super Monkey Ball so much, they developed an entire game around it. With a little bit of NiGHTS into Dreams and a relaxing city pop soundtrack for good measure, Bonito Days is a great way to unwind after a long day. Some gamers may want more modes, but as it is, there's nothing to get in the way of the gameplay. As an elevated minigame, it's the perfect experience if you're looking to enjoy some chill vibes while flying around the beach for a few rounds at a time.
Ultimately, Amazing Princess Sarah took two of my favorite NES games and mushed them into one product. Despite some frustrating flaws, it's still a pretty good game, and it's well worth your time if you enjoy the original Castlevania and Super Mario Bros. 2.
I'm the kind of person who enjoys solving a few sudoku puzzles before bed, so Big Brain Academy fits into my lifestyle seamlessly. It's great for gamers who like to hone their thinking skills in bite-sized chunks. While it's a little light on features, it excels at what it does have and has a fun and adorable presentation. It's a joy to play, whether you're taking on a few minigames by yourself or using your beefy brain to win friendly contests. If you enjoy solving puzzles, competing against friends and strangers in tests of brainpower, or just keeping your mind sharp, this is definitely the game for you.
Infernax is like an amazing cover of a favorite song. It perfectly encapsulates what a quintessential "'80s game" might feel like, complete with over-the-top carnage and a Game Genie reference that enhances your gameplay. If it's your jam, you'll want to play it over and over, just to see what's behind all the locked doors and try to get all the endings. Even dying is fun because of all the different death animations. The marketing for this game singles out Zelda II and Castlevania II, but it's got a ton of Metroid, Legacy of the Wizard, and more baked in. If you love the classics, or want a fantastic introduction to NES-style platformers, this is a game that deserves your attention.
"Though the worlds may seem far apart and out of reach, they nonetheless remain connected by invisible ties. As do our hearts."