Perry Burkum
Gunbrick: Reloaded is just super fun and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a challenging but not punishing puzzle platformer. The standard levels and boss battles are charmingly difficult and the new isometric mode is a blast, the game just left me wanting more. Nitrome continues to show some great support for the Switch, and I personally can't wait to see what they have next up their sleeve.
The simple controls are a welcome change from the standard side-scrolling platformer. The level design is really spectacular as well, leaving me smiling many times when I finally figured out how to get to certain places. Somehow, the platformer genre continues to entertain me, and Wunderling does a great job of bringing something both fresh and tried and true.
All in all, OVERWHELM is a fun and neat little roguelike with an unfortunate problem: it can feel unforgiving in the worst way. While it's far from being unplayable or unenjoyable, it can simply be disheartening to be on an incredible run only to be cheaply killed by either a teleporting boss or a random overworld enemy. If you can get past that, there is an amusing game that I could recommend to roguelike fans.
The game progresses through and uncovers new abilities at a swift and balanced pace. The weapons are super fun to discover and mess with, and the very nature of what makes Blaster Master gameplay so excellent has never shone so bright and wonderful. If you love great retro games, you won't want to miss out on Blaster Master Zero 2.
Unfortunately, this version does have too many ugly blemishes to recommend over other digital versions available on other platforms. But if your only avenue is playing on Switch, you can still get definitely some enjoyment out of playing locally against your friends or against the varying difficulty levels of the computer.
While at times the difficulty can seem very intense, and all seems lost, Kingdom Two Crowns is designed so you can rebuild your empire after the toughest of invasions or the coldest of winters - and all achieved by the simplest of decrees: to build, expand, and defend.
All in all, I just didn't really have fun playing Morphie's Law, which is a real shame. The great amount of detail that went into the design and aesthetic is phenomenal, with beautiful visuals and a killer soundtrack to boot. Unfortunately the gameplay just doesn't live up to the rest, and even the premise doesn't ever really feel more than a novelty. A future update could potentially fix a lot of these issues, but as it stands I have a hard time recommending Morphie's Law.
Keeping to its roots, WarioWare Gold is a wonderful showcase of the crazy, wacky and quirky history of both its own franchise and Nintendo in general.
Whether you're new to Picross, or you've played it since the Game Boy days, Jupiter's excellent and refined gameplay experience in Picross S2 is the perfect way to unwind and relax in short or long bursts.
Bomb Chicken is an expertly crafted experience inside and out.
If you have a buddy around, the multiplayer options are great for jumping and racing through the episodes. So if you're a fan of simple platformers and you want to be a ninja, then the N is a great game to teach you the spiritual, cognitive and physical training needed. Plus plus.
The design of Jotun Valhalla Edition is very simple, and overall I think the lack of dynamic gameplay hindered the experience I had with it.
With the combination of the easy-to-learn upgrade system, charming aesthetic, and simple tried and true gameplay, Bombslinger completely hooked me in every way.
It's definitely a solid platformer with a little humor here and there, but that's about it. What it does have is well implemented though, and the options to play with a friend combined with the natural ease of using Joy-Con make it a great pick-up-and-play game for any occasion. Although there is no unique hook or ground-breaking ideas, Little Triangle is a good title to scratch that platforming itch.
I definitely enjoyed some of my time playing through the campaign, but I never felt that the gameplay ever really clicked with the level design. The art and sound design also leave much to be desired, and can sometimes even be straight up irritating. There may be good value for those who prefer a straightforward platformer with an interesting hook, but for others who want a little more than a one-trick pony I would think twice before downloading TorqueL -Physics Modified Edition-.
What it lacks in sizzle it makes up for in function. The level design is fair and fun to overcome, and holds plenty of challenge for the platforming fanatic. Although there may be many other more exciting looking selections available on Switch, 10 Second Run is a good option for quick and reliable platforming fun.
If you are a fan of classic arcade games, I'd highly recommended Space Dave!, as it's a prime example of a great pick-up-and-play game. The addictive gameplay had me always wanting to come back for one more round over and over again, proving that Choice Provisions successfully executed on what they were trying to deliver - a solid arcade experience.
There were many times where I was at the point of feeling completely lost, only to find that just around the corner contained the clue to unlock my next destination. While the controls could use a bit more polish, InnerSpace really came to be a beautiful experience that I grew to love. Nothing was handed to me, but I felt like I was actually charting the land and helping understand what had happened in this mystical world that was presented before me. If an ambient and memorizing adventure is what you're in the mood for, don't be afraid to explore the depths of InnerSpace.
Blossom Tales successfully accomplishes it's goal of recreating the tried and true simplistic gameplay found in the classic action/adventure genre, but also adds a bit of its own personality as well. By adapting new mechanics for a more fluid experience and combining that with the charming story-telling narrative, Castle Pixel has created an elegant love letter to one of Nintendo's most cherished and beloved titles. So if you yearn for a polished Zelda experience, look no further - Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King is a beautiful homage.
The whole 70s aesthetic and music are fantastic and complement the small story set aside from the main missions. While the controls can feel inconsistent at times, the experience as a whole was very enjoyable. Sure, it's fun to bring on the onslaught - but who knew it would be so much fun to clean up after.