I wasn’t really sure if I needed another metroidvania, but Constance kept pulling me back in. Moving through the world as paint feels great once everything starts to click, and the story about creativity, pressure, and knowing when to stop gives the adventure a rather emotional experience. That being said, the map can be a bit too vague, and some bosses suddenly hit a lot harder than the sections leading up to them, but neither problem was strong enough to ruin the experience for me. Constance isn’t perfect, but it made me care about both the world and the person fighting her way through it. For me, that says enough.
Heave Ho 2 is difficult to get under control, and some challenges become frustrating when a small mistake ruins an otherwise good attempt. That being said, playing through it with my wife resulted in plenty of moments where our carefully discussed plan ended within seconds. The variation between regular campaign levels kept us interested, while Showdown offered a fun reason to turn against each other for a while. It takes patience, and you need a co-op partner who can laugh when things go wrong for the tenth time but if you find one of those, you’ll have a blast with Heave Ho 2 for sure!
Halo: Campaign Evolved does exactly what I hoped it would do. It brings back the original campaign without messing with the foundations too much, while making the classic moments look and play better than ever. Some cutscenes are a bit rough, and the lack of traditional multiplayer will hurt for some fans, but as a campaign remake, this really delivers. The co-op, Skulls, and new Operation: METEORITE missions give returning players a good reason to come back, while newcomers finally get a modern way to experience where Halo started.
Splatoon Raiders surprised me in the best way possible. I expected a fun solo experiment, but Nintendo turned it into a surprisingly deep spin-off with raids, smart loadout choices, great bosses and a fun co-op system. Some raids might feel repetitive after a while, but the constant stream of weapons, gadgets, mods and upgrades kept me hooked from start to finish. This isn’t just something to play while waiting for Splatoon 4, it’s proof that Splatoon can work really well outside of its usual multiplayer comfort zone.
Star Ocean The Second Story R remains a fantastic remake. It brings back an old-school JRPG without making it feel dusty; the 2.5D style still looks great, battles are fast and fun, and the mix of fantasy and science-fiction still gives the game its own flavor. On Nintendo Switch 2, everything simply feels cleaner and smoother, making this the best Nintendo version of the game by far. It’s just a shame that Square Enix made the jump from Switch to Switch 2 more annoying than needed. No upgrade pack and no save transfer are hard to defend, especially for returning players. But if you missed the game the first time around and you’re looking for a classic JRPG to play on Switch 2, this is a very easy recommendation. Star Ocean: The Second Story R was already worth playing, and this version makes that journey among the stars feel even better.
Fitness Boxing 3: Your Personal Trainer – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition makes a good fitness game even better. The smoother visuals are welcome, the camera support is clever, and Boost Up adds a surprisingly intense extra challenge that really tests your stamina. It’s not a huge upgrade, but everything it adds makes sense. If you already own the base game, this might feel a bit underwhelming, but for newcomers, this is easily the best way to start throwing punches.
Denshattack! turns the ridiculous idea of doing tricks with a train into one of the smoothest and most creative games I played this year. Some transitions between rails and walls can be frustrating, but the great flow, absurd levels, and constant chase for better scores made it very hard to put down.
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced keeps the spotlight where it should be: Edward, the Jackdaw, and the pirate life. The missing DLC and multiplayer are worth mentioning, but the improved visuals, smoother gameplay, and stronger solo focus make this one of the best ways to replay one of Ubisoft’s finest adventures.
Dead or Alive 6 Last Round is still a fun fighting game. The combat is fast, the roster is better than before and the new Photo Mode is a great little addition for fans of the series. If you never played Dead or Alive 6 before, this is easily the best version to start with. For returning players, it’s a lot harder to recommend. The new costumes and Photo Mode are nice, but not enough to make this feel like a huge upgrade. The lack of crossplay is disappointing, and the game still carries some of the same problems as before. Dead or Alive 6 Last Round is a better version of a good fighter, but not the perfect final round it could have been.
Devil May Cry 5 Devil Hunter Edition is a great way to play one of Capcom’s best action games on Nintendo Switch 2. The game still looks impressive, the combat still feels fantastic and the included extras give returning players enough reasons to jump back in. Vergil is a great addition, the Mega Buster and other bonus weapons are fun to use and the 60fps performance makes sure the action remains fast in both docked and handheld mode. If you never played Devil May Cry 5 before, this Devil Hunter Edition is an easy recommendation.
SnowRunner on Nintendo Switch 2 isn’t a new game, but it’s a great upgrade compared to the original version on Nintendo Swich. Sure, the game remains slow, stubborn, and definitely not for everyone, but the improved hardware makes a real difference. It’s clearer, more comfortable, and much easier to enjoy as a hybrid experience. This is still a game about mud, trucks, and plans that almost always go wrong. But that’s also where its charm is. If you enjoy slow progress, heavy vehicles, and small victories, SnowRunner on Switch 2 is finally a Nintendo version worth taking seriously.
SUMMERHOUSE works best as a small creative toy you pick up for short building sessions. It has charm and enough freedom to create some lovely little scenes, but the lack of guidance and awkward Switch 2 controls really hold it back. It can be relaxing, especially at its lower price, but there are better alternatives in the genre.
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is not the traditional Yoshi platformer some players might expect, but that’s also what makes it interesting. Its cosy exploration, strange creatures, and hidden layers make it a charming adventure that rewards curiosity more than skill.
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight brings the spirit of the Arkham games into the LEGO universe in a way that clicks. Gotham is a joy to explore, the combat feels great, and the humor keeps the darker Batman lore light without losing its charm. The lack of online co-op is a shame, but this is easily one of the strongest LEGO games in years.
Forza Horizon 6 makes Japan feel like the perfect playground for the series. The racing is still as satisfying as ever, the map is beautiful, and I often found myself ignoring objectives just to keep driving. It’s familiar in structure, but once you’re on the road, that barely matters.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was already an excellent adventure game, and this Nintendo Switch 2 version does it justice. Handheld mode comes with a few expected compromises, but MachineGames has delivered a remarkably polished port that makes Indy’s latest adventure feel right at home on Nintendo’s hybrid console.
Directive 8020 is a major step forward for The Dark Pictures Anthology. The story is engaging, the production values are excellent, and the added gameplay mechanics make this the most interactive entry in the series so far. The stealth sections can become a bit repetitive, but they never get in the way of what is still a tense and highly entertaining sci-fi horror survival adventure.
Mixtape is one of the most personal and emotionally resonant games I’ve played in years. Its experimental structure and collection of strange mini-games won’t work for everyone, but for me, every part of it clicked. The music, visual style, and coming-of-age story come together in a way that feels incredibly intimate and honest. It made me laugh, reflect on my own youth, and at times left me surprisingly emotional. Even though the story is rooted in a very specific time and place, the feelings behind it are universal. Mixtape won’t appeal to everyone, but if it connects with you, it will stay with you long after the final song fades out.
Kiln has a clever core idea and some real Double Fine magic behind it, but right now it feels a bit too limited. The pottery mechanics are great, the multiplayer can be fun, but the game could really use more content and variety to keep things interesting long-term.
Adorable Adventures is indeed very adorable, but could have been a bit more adventurous with its mechanics. It has a very clever core mechanic, but it could have used a bit more variation to really stand out. Even so, it’s still a fun little adventure, especially for younger players.