Outside of some convoluted details and a somewhat shorter length, this is a very rad rhythm game that stands out amongst others because of its gorgeous artwork and inventive take on breakdancing gameplay.
Nine Parchments has its problems, but for the most part, it is still an entertaining dungeon crawler.
Battle Chef Brigade is an absolute feast of a game on Switch, with a highly polished story and a brilliant fusion of match-three and action. It might be coming out in a busy time of year, but this is a game not to be missed.
This is a game that is aware of its goofy setup and relishes in a sea of cat puns and insanity. It's not a terribly long game - I rolled credits within a few hours - but it's a fun romp with a straightforward and entertaining action RPG style. Cat Quest is a game that likely won't stick with me for too long, but it was a pleasant time basking in cat gags and beating up on foes with swords and magic.
Even with all those issues, Rime is enjoyable, but the Switch version makes it a lesser overall experience. I can't speak to specifics, but if the framerate and graphics are better elsewhere, seek those versions out in lieu of this release. The allure of portability doesn't make Rime a better game, especially with the compromised graphics.
On its own, Spellspire is an enjoyable word RPG, somewhat in the same vein as a Puzzle Quest. The replayable nature makes it a nice game to have on hand as a complement to the Switch's other games. It's a focused and fun twist on a known formula, well worth checking out if you need a break from Mario.
If you're looking for a light co-op game on Switch, Moon Hunters is fantastic, and the simple combat and short length are more of a boon than a hindrance. But if you want something deeper and long-lasting, this falls short of that, especially as a single-player-only affair. Still, weaving your own legends makes for a good time, even if it's short-lived.
Even in the face of it's most frustrating elements, The Mummy Demastered isn't a bad game. It's just disappointing, more reminiscent of WayForward's okay past licensed work than any of their more transcendent Shantae games.
I truthfully didn't expect The Flame in The Flood to make the impression on me that it did. It's easily the best survival game I've ever played, all the way from its satisfying gameplay to its masterful audio design. In the veritable long river of eShop games on Switch right now, this is one worth making sure you've got enough food and water to last a couple weeks.
Each game in Jackbox Party Pack 4 is a winner - something I've never said about a Jackbox pack before. These games don't have convoluted rules and are super easy to jump right into, with each one being a great time even if you're flailing and not scoring any of the requisite points required to win. The variety also makes it versatile for different groups, and if you're searching for a solid party game on Switch, this might just be the one to break out during the holidays.
The straightforward design might not be for everyone, as no great challenge is nestled in Yono's escapades. This is an easier game that's perfect for those who want to sink into a contemplative cartoon world or maybe kick back and play an easy-to-comprehend game with their kid.
Regardless of small blemishes, Axiom Verge is one of the best Metroid-esque games I've played outside of Samus' orbit. It's the rare game that seems to understand exactly what made that series so spectacular, using that understanding to craft original power-ups and concepts that make this more than just a hollow Metroid rip-off.
It's a marvelous shooter that brings forth the best elements of cooperative play, as the action gets frantic, the difficulty ramps up, and even failure can result in a hell of a good time. If you have a few people to play with, Lovers is a fine addition to your Switch library, but even if you're all alone, you can pair up with a good computer-controlled puppy dog or cat and still have yourself a good time. This is an adorable, charming adventure - one that lovers of fine co-op game shouldn't miss.
Golf Story doesn't totally live up to the legacy of those Mario sports RPGs, but it does a very good job at touching on those classics and putting its own spin on the genre. A few nagging issues might draw down the experience, but the golfing is fun enough to work in tandem with a wacky story and world to make a genuinely enjoyable adventure on Switch.
Still, if you want to sit back and relax with your Switch, Semispheres is an enjoyable and serene puzzler that is both soothing and tough. The lack of overall meat to the game is a little disappointing, but the ride is very much worthwhile as long as you're okay with a shorter-than-expected time.
After beating Metroid: Samus Returns, my skepticism washed away, mostly thanks to the fact that this 3DS game pays a loving homage to the greatness of past entries while adding enough new elements to feel like a fresh and wonderful modern experience. With their powers combined, Nintendo and MercurySteam basically struck gold with this game. Samus Returns is a dynamite entry in the fabled series and deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Metroid: Zero Mission and Super Metroid. If you've been waiting for a new 2D Metroid game from Nintendo for more than a decade, you owe it to yourself to play this game.
Depending on your skill and luck, Ironcast can be a fun 10 hour or so romp, fraught with many failures but likely numerous last-second victories and absolute dominations. The mixture of turn-based strategy and match-three puzzling is novel and for the most part, works extremely well in the rogue-like permadeath structure. The tedious and humdrum story can be tiresome, but if you focus on honing tactics to take down your rivals while building up your gear and abilities, Ironcast is a fantastic and unique game.
While I still feel the late-game battles are drawn out with palette swaps and needless complexity, Severed is such a fantastic game otherwise that even with a few warts, Severed is absolutely worth checking out, especially if you missed any of its other releases on Wii U, 3DS, and more.
Up until the bitter end, the diversity of levels and concepts is glorious. The fast-paced cooking might get stressful, but that also makes success all the more tasty. If you can find the right team of cooks and overlook a lower framerate, Overcooked on Switch is glorious.
Salmon Run is brilliant, but only being able to play it at specific times is downright awful, and the local form of it requires a wealth of systems and games to work optimally. Still, even with those woeful limitations, Splatoon 2 is the best online game on Switch and with more updates coming down the road, could stay that way for a very long time. This might not be quite as fresh as it was in 2015, but it is certainly, as Marina and Pearl say, “off the hook.