During the 5th and 6th generation of gaming, the 3D platformer was a viable genre that was alive and well. With tons of mascots and different games to choose from, the landscape was brimming with variety. While Kickstarter successes have brought back the appeal of the 3D platformer, it has been quite a while since we have seen 3D platformers like in the 6th generation. The Legend of Kay was a PS2 title released in 2005, and although critically well received, the game went mostly unnoticed by gamers due to stiff competition. Now that the competition has all but dried up, how does the Legend of Kay Anniversary fare on the Wii U?
The Wii U version also supports Off-TV play on the fly, or will show you your sub-missions much like the touch screen does on the 3DS version of the game. While the 3DS version of OlliOlli is very solid, if I had to choose between the two, the Wii U is the clear winner. With (to me) more responsive controls, better graphics and colors, and higher audio quality, the Wii U version manages to outshine the 3DS slightly. All of the other slight frustrations from the 3DS version remain (no cross-save data, some poorly placed obstacles), but as a whole OlliOlli is a great addition to both the Wii U and 3DS library. The Wii U one is just slightly better.
Kirby and the Rainbow Curse isn't going to be a game that is mentioned in Game of the Year conversations at the end of the year, but it is a great way to kill some time in a beautifully created world.
All things considered, Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty is a fine addition to the Wii U eShop lineup. It's one of the more polished titles on the service, and has a good length and value to it. It's a bit of a shame that after the long wait the GamePad is used simply as Off-TV and the framerate issues can be noticeable at times, but if you are primarily a Wii U owner, this is game worth owning.
If you haven't played the Revelations games before, this is a great way to do such. Switch-specific features, solid gameplay, good graphics, and fun online are the highlights of this collection, and being able to play them anywhere is a great convenience.
If you haven't played the Revelations games before, this is a great way to do such. Switch-specific features, solid gameplay, good graphics, and fun online are the highlights of this collection, and being able to play them anywhere is a great convenience.
DOOM on the Switch is a great package. The fact that you can take this game with you wherever you go and play this game at any time is pretty amazing considering this was one of the most graphically intense games of 2016.
L.A Noire is a fantastic game that finds a home on the Nintendo Switch, and the portability aspect really helps. While each case is pretty large, the ability to save (along with auto-saves) at any time makes this a perfect game for on the go or at home. Rockstar put the effort into this port and it shows. Sure, it's a bit of an older game and does show some age from time to time, but L.A. Noire is another great triple-A third party release that shouldn't be overshadowed by games like Skyrim and DOOM. If you are looking for a fantastic story-driven game with unique gameplay, L.A. Noire should be in your Switch library.
Monster Hunter Stories is a delightful game that surprised the hell out of me. It's pretty, it's fun, it's fresh, and a real departure from the original series but still retains elements to keep it familiar. If you like JRPG's or monster collecting games like Pokemon, Monster Hunter Stories is a must own. Just don't go into the game expecting a traditional style, and you will be surprised with how good it is.
As a whole though, Implosion really surprised me. It looked like it would be a Metal Gear Revengence-style game from an indie developer, and that's pretty much how it played out. It looks good, plays great, and is a very solid and affordable title for the Nintendo Switch. If you are looking for something a bit darker and faster paced on the Switch, Implosion is a solid choice.
All in all though, NBA 2K18 is a welcome addition to the Switch library. It's great to have realistic hoops back on a Nintendo platform, and 2K knocked it out of the park with their debut Switch title. It looks great, plays great, and if the kinks can get patched should be the start of a great franchise finally embracing a Nintendo platform.
Metroid: Samus Returns is a great return to form after the Federation Forces debacle and should make fans of the series happy with the final product. Aside from a few presentation hiccups and difficulty curve, the improved visuals and added content make for a solid entry in the Metroid universe. We have been waiting for Samus to return for a little while now, but the wait has been worth it.
Clever level design, nice visuals, and the added mech-suit really make Planet Robobot stand out as a Kirby title, and is one of his most enjoyable entries to date. If you enjoy classic Kirby games and are looking for a game with some real value, Kirby: Planet Robobot should be on your radar.
Personally though, I loved this compilation of games as it brought me back to my childhood. With beautifully done 3D effects, a solid selection of games, and a myriad of options for those games, SEGA 3D Classics Collection is a very solid purchase for fans of the classic SEGA arcade era. Now I’m just ready for SEGA 3D Classics Collection Volume 2!
Hyrule Warriors Legends does something a lot of games can’t do: take a console version and improve upon it. Loss of graphical fidelity aside, Legends breathes new life into Hyrule Warriors and offers up a fantastic and deep handheld experience that will have you up at the wee hours of the night saying “just one more battle” until the sun comes up.
At the end of the day, Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse is a very enjoyable game.
Shin'en has created a game that pays homage to F-Zero, but with enough unique characteristics to make it a stand out title on it's own. The level of polish in this game is amazing, and the fact that it's an exclusive Nindie game is just the icing on the cake. For a meager $15 you can get one of the fastest and most gorgeous racing games on any platform, which is a true testament to the programming power of Shin'en. FAST Racing Neo is easily a must own title for the Wii U, and arguably one of the best 3rd party games on the system.
Mega Man Legacy Collection is a great way to play classic Mega Man games on the go. The additional content is fantastic for retro gaming fans who like to see every bit of information they can with these classics games, and the digital package is a great value at $14.99. If you have ever been interested in playing the games that got Mega Man his start, this is a solid addition to any library.
Xeodrifter is yet another solid Renegade Kid title that 3DS owners should pick up. It takes the classic Metroid formula, advances it some, but keeps it 8-bit at the same time.
Unepic is a liar. There — I said it. Why is it a liar? Well, look at the name — the game implies that it\'s \"unepic,\" but in actuality, this is one of the most epic quests seen on the Wii U eShop. The name actually helps set the tone because, while the gameplay is for the hardcore gamer, the game manages to lighten the tone with excellent and funny dialogue.