I’ve wanted to play Cyberpunk 2077 for a long time now. I’ve had it wishlisted on both my PC and my Xbox, waiting for sales and a time when life gifted me with the spare time to do so. While the game has been on sale quite frequently, life hasn’t been as kind with giving me time to unwind with a game like this and the backlog is brutal, so I did not expect for Cyberpunk 2077 to be ticked off my list for the sake of a Nintendo Switch 2 review. For the most part, I didn’t feel hindered by playing it on less powerful hardware at all; in fact, in some ways, it provided me with more freedom and convenience. The performance is serviceable, but the mere fact that the game is running on hybrid Nintendo hardware at launch is an impressive feat for both CD Projekt Red and Nintendo. As previously stated, I wasn’t going to say much about the game itself, but to summarise it in just two words: it’s incredible. If you want the freedom of multiple control schemes and hybrid play styles, then the Nintendo Switch 2 version is a fantastic way to do that. But if you’re looking for more pretty lights, better textures and smoother frame rates, and being tied to a TV or PC monitor isn’t a deal breaker, then certainly opt to play the game on more powerful hardware. Regardless, either way, you can’t go wrong.
Cattle Country is a serviceable farming sim that will likely receive some initial interest based on what it initially promises. However, once the initial beauty of its pixel art wears off and the southern setting gradually loses its meaning, what's left is a perfectly mediocre entry in a genre that hit the point of oversaturation a few years past.
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is such a wonderful swansong for what may well become the best-selling console of all time. It reaffirmed just how convenient the Switch’s design is in its hybrid nature, highlighting aspects like portability and being able to quickly pop your console into sleep mode and pick it back up whenever and wherever—something we likely take for granted today. The developers at Monolith Soft have come such a long way since they first released Xenoblade Chronicles X on Wii U 10 years ago, and it shows. Xenoblade Chronicles 2, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and both their respective story-based DLCs show that they’ve certainly put a lot of time and thought into how they explain mechanics, themes and UI elements while being able to learn from the very best over at Nintendo.
So what can I say about LEGO Horizon Adventures? Well, it’s all, sort of, meh. Perhaps my view is tainted somewhat by having played the originals first? Or maybe I was supposed to do that? I’m not sure. But while this could be a good entry point for younger audiences to familiarise themselves with when they’re old enough, it feels like many kids seeing their parents play the actual games would feel a tad insulted by this watered-down iteration. It’s hard to say who this game is for, but it’s certainly not for me.
Dragon Quest III HD 2D Remake is a wonderful reimagining if you know what you're getting yourself into. It's a beautifully stark contrast that demonstrates just how far the series has come, for better and for worse. Having this remake feels like walking into retro-themed arcade in 2024; you have a lot of respect for how far games have come and are really excited to play them, but after a surprisingly short amount of time, you find yourself wanting to go back to playing the newest entry released in this decade.
When a dormant series returns after almost a decade of silence, it's understandable to be nervous, especially after some wide-ranging review scores. While it may not stand up to the series’ peaks, it sets a wonderful framework for what we fans can hope to be the long-term resurrection of the franchise. I also wish that the game was 5-10 hours longer, but perhaps that's a consequence of entering my 30s; I just don't have the spare time that I once had.
Speaking as someone who doesn't usually enjoy Sonic games, this game is phenomenal! It combines so much of what makes Sonic The Hedgehog great, with a wide range of classic Sonic, early 3D Sonic, and the franchise's future. Shadow Generations is so masterfully crafted that, with the recent successes of the Sonic The Hedgehog movies, the franchise truly is experiencing a renaissance era that suggests a bright future ahead of it.
Emio - The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club had me smiling from ear-to-ear. While that may sound a little ominous, the game itself has a gripping murder mystery narrative that can rival the best within the detective genre. This entry gives me a lot of hope for the future of the series and I’d love to see more entries in the years to come.
Bakeru scratches the Goemon itch that I've had for many years now. It's so charming with it's setting in a mythical alternate Japan that after I publish this review, I'm going to be checking flight prices pronto. While I do wish that some of the characters had some actual depth to them, this is easy to shrug off and bask in the wonderful gameplay and setting.
Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure scratches an itch that many won't know they had. It perfectly encapsulates the dreaded word "unique" in a market where we see every third game incorrectly use the word. Making a game where your sole form of movement is akin to a pseudo-sokoban style is risky, but it's paid off in spades. Get ready for Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure to grace many top indie games on Switch lists.
At the end of it all, I’ll look back on SCHiM fondly—not for its puzzles, but for its satisfying shadow platforming and unique presentation. I’m happy to have been given the chance to experience it, but once the credits roll, I can’t see myself ever wanting to go back to it. It’s a quick, one-and-done romp that’ll have you smiling for the majority of its time, and rolling your eyes in frustration in between.
If it weren't for the extra battle modes and decent replayability, I probably would've gone with a six, but it's that which keeps its head above water and carries it through. The core gameplay is classic Super Monkey Ball fun through-and-through, and fans of the series will revel in that. I had good mindless fun with this one; it was easy to get lost in the fun and before long, I found I had been playing for a few hours without realising it. It's just... nothing special, you know?
Duck Detective: The Secret Salami is a fun little quirky time that can fill a single evening with ear-to-ear smiling joy. Admittedly, having a series of individual cases would've provided it with more longevity; perhaps in a sequel. And what a sequel that would be; this game made me smile more than any game has managed to do this year, and that is worth the price of admission many times over.
When I saw the trailer, I was captivated by the art and its presentation. However, it appears I fell victim to shallow marketing efforts. Aside from Maliki: Poison of the Past’s stellar 2D artwork, every aspect feels clunky and lacking in any form of satisfaction. I don’t revel in being this negative, especially when, behind this game, I know it’d have a team of passionate developers’ hard work behind it, but I just can’t see this game as something to recommend. The trailer made the game show promise, but I’m afraid it talked the talk when it couldn’t walk the walk.
I am so happy that Princess Peach: Showtime! exists. It's about time Princess Peach got her time in the spotlight, both metaphorically and literally. And yet, after all is said and done, the game sadly won't live up to the heights of some of her Mushroom Kingdom pals' solo entries. The gameplay is fun but basic; the level design is well suited for each transformation but gets repetitive. The game actually reminded me of a classic 3DS 2D platformer, it would've worked wonderfully on that system, especially with the set designs and the 3D slider (what could have been). Overall, it's a fun time; it just fell a little short in its execution.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong is a fine game. Just fine. It doesn’t do anything particularly memorable, but what it does, it does so well. It’s entertaining on a basic level, and I did have fun, but I’m not going to look back at the Switch library and think of this game as a standout. Not every game needs to be a The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or Super Mario Odyssey, that much is certain, but as far as Nintendo published games are concerned, this one barely scratches the itch of memorable joy that one would expect from them.
Cricket Through the Ages is a hysterical romp that had me audibly laugh out loud throughout its entire two-hour run time. It takes the sport and tells a silly historical recap from the Prehistoric Age to a zany space age. It's a short experience, and while it's certainly not perfect, it's an absolute hoot and you'll absolutely remember it for years to come.
As disappointing as it is to say, Born of Bread simply never clicked with me. I kept waiting for that "ok, now it's getting good” moment, but despite my wishful thinking, it never came. For fans of the classic Paper Mario entries, there’s still a lot to enjoy from Born of Bread, but I just wouldn’t suggest getting your hopes up too high. If you haven’t already, play Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling; that game does the homage much better.