Dominic Leighton's Reviews
A multi-stranded strategy RPG masterclass, Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave is absolutely a part of the conversation for being the very best game in this venerable series.
A fun, breezy open-world racer that does a great job of capturing the magic of the toys, Hot Wheels Infinite Rush is likely to fill plenty of hours with car-ramming delight for younger players. For everyone over the age of 12, there's Forza Horizon.
For Switch 2 owners, this edition of Crisis Core - Final Fantasy VII - Reunion is the perfect addition to Remake, Rebirth and Retribution, and I'd argue that it's essential for fans that have yet to experience it. However, Square Enix once again put consumers last, and with no upgrade path beyond buying the game for a second time, this is simply not worth your money if you own the Switch version.
Stunningly beautiful in its recreation of 80s and 90s anime, Orbitals is a fun co-op adventure that doesn't quite match the best of the genre thanks to its more constrained gameplay.
Switch 2 owners are about to discover the world of Elden Ring. If they've never experienced it elsewhere, then the magic that stretches through every fibre of the game remains intact, and in handheld especially, offers a thoroughly enjoyable version of the game. If you've played elsewhere, however, the performance downgrades may be too much to take.
Duskfade is a consistently delightful platforming adventure that hearkens back to a simpler time, made all the better by the colourful and interesting clockwork world it's set in.
While the Culdcept series has been around for a long time, Culdcept Begins' unusual fusion of gameplay styles manages to feel fresh and timely, perfectly capturing the contemporary gaming zeitgeist.
If anything, Beast of Reincarnation could be the perfect 7/10; it's a mass of systems, ideas and interesting design choices that so very nearly hang together. While there's jank, annoyances and performance issues, they don't diminish the fundamental enjoyment of the world Game Freak has created. For all the long shadow that Pokémon casts, I want to see more like Beast of Reincarnation find their way into the light.
Riveting, rewarding, and endlessly replayable, Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok is one of the best action RPGs on Nintendo's system.
Star Fox is a fairly safe remaster, and for fans of the original there's a lot here to love, especially the incredible audio-visual upgrade. The central mode is showing its age mechanically, though, and without the power of nostalgia, I'm interested to see how people respond to its classic on-rails action. Meanwhile, the online mode is deserving of your and your friends' time, but you have to hope that some extra attention is poured into it post-launch.
If you're a fan of cycling and the Tour de France, Tour de France 2026 has a lot to offer, especially in how well it captures the racing action itself. However, it feels like it needs a real visual upgrade to take it from the back of the pack to a yellow jersey, and ultimately, it'll just make you want to get out on your bike.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth makes the transition to Switch 2 in great form. It generally looks excellent, the sound is spectacular and the world is as large and expansive as it ever was. There are cutbacks over the PS5 version, and whether you can live with them will be a personal choice, particularly with the shift to 30fps and the reduced level of detail, but if you want a massive, portable Final Fantasy adventure, Rebirth is ideal.
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is an incredible celebration of the Caped Crusader, and if you've encountered any of his adventures across comics, film or gaming, you'll find joy in every reference and aside.
Forza Horizon 6 is another excellent entry in an excellent series, from an excellent developer. Part of me wants more than that, but I've no idea how that would work.
Mixtape is incredible. An indie narrative adventure that's part game, part movie, part album, it captures the end of teenage life, of friendship and family, all while looking to the possibilities and unknowable potential of the future. It is, in a word, essential.
People of Note is a kind-hearted RPG with a deep affection for music. Its soundtrack won't resonate with everyone, but it's both deeply enjoyable and tight and focused, with a cast of likeable characters whose journey you'll want to see through.
The Switch 2's fighting game line-up is all the better for having Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O World Stage in it. In my humble opinion, this remains one of the best fighting games of all time, and the Switch 2 version looks and feels exactly as you'd hope, letting you take your one-on-one brawling on the go.
The Switch 2 gains yet another great title for its library with Kena: Bridge of Spirits. Ember Labs hit remains one of the most likeable 3D action-adventure games of the last few years, and its approachable gameplay and stunning visual design feel utterly at home on a Nintendo console.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is the best entry in the spin-off series yet, with gorgeous artwork, impeccable world-building, and an excellent Monster Hunter tale to tell. I can't imagine a better gateway to the world of Monster Hunter than this.
There are moments where Gear.Club Unlimited 3 nearly comes together, but when other games like JDM and Tokyo Xtreme Racer exist, it becomes clear just how much of a poor facsimile it is.