Whether you still struggle to comprehend the unexpected collision that the irreverent Rabbids have had with the Mushroom Kingdom or not, in Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, Ubisoft Milan readily proves at every turn that even the wackiest ideas can result in a sensational experience. With infectious humour, it will soon win you over to prove itself absolutely unmissable.
That all leads to a particularly positive impression for Ironcast, which easily becomes one of the strongest showings on the Nintendo eShop that I have played in the six months since Nintendo Switch launched. As engrossingly deep as it is engaging, I can only hope that you join us in our fight to defend Victorian England. We need you, commander.
Pokkén Tournament DX remains a robust, fun and accessible fighter. It sports some incredible mechanics, with the seamless shifts between 2D and 3D planes easily helping to make each brawl feel exciting. But there isn’t much improvement on the original away from new content, meaning that those who have pummeled their opponents into submission on Wii U may be more conflicted about a second purchase – although it will be where the competitive community shifts to.
In Overcooked: Special Edition, developer Ghost Town Games has achieved something special. Beneath the surface of this crazy culinary adventure is an experience that is outrageously funny to play with friends, that, even when your kitchen is burning down and the fire extinguisher out of reach, will never fail to raise a smile. It’s a perfect fit for Nintendo Switch, and a game that you need to have in your life – it will be all the better for it. For, there is nothing in the world as contagious as laughter.
Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition presents yet another chance to discover gaming’s greatest blank canvas, and, with the freedom to play both at home and on the go, it easily ranks as the best portable version that money can buy.
It’s an incredible sense of discovery that soon sees Kingdom: New Lands become such a remarkable experience. It can be confusing at first, for sure. But, as you start to piece together all the systems that are at play, this standout addition to the Nintendo eShop soon becomes fiercely compelling to the point that you can happily sink countless hours into it at a time. Just keep an eye out for Greed.
Drenched in a fluorescent colour scheme, Severed, with its intricately designed dungeons, will linger in your memory for a long time to come. There is a chance that, like me, you may tire from the relentless battles, but see it through to its conclusion and you will soon realise that it was all worth it.
There is certainly a place for 36 Fragments of Midnight on the Nintendo eShop, mainly as an inexpensive introductory experience to the platforming genre. But, it comes hard to recommend. Lacking in challenge and replayability, it fails to shine bright enough to guide you away from more worthwhile games.
It’s this constant and playful mirth that embodies Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime that makes the game such a riot to be a part of, and, now rallying Lovers on Nintendo Switch, there is no better time than to spread happiness across the galaxy. There’s an easy chance that you may just fall in love.
Crammed with picture puzzles Piczle Lines DX feels at home on Nintendo Switch, where the console’s adaptability around your lifestyle will let you methodically chip away at the conundrums that it packs. It isn’t without its imperfections, but the puzzle-obsessed will find much to enjoy.
From uncovering the remnants of an ancient civilisation to swerving through caverns overflowing with molten lava, forma.8 is a breathtakingly beautiful game that will astound at regular intervals. It’s the wondrous sense of discovery that sees it succeed, muddled in with some particularly exceptional puzzles.
There’s plenty of promise on display in The LEGO Ninjago Movie Video Game‘s heroics, easily amounting to the ninja’s best adventure after some, admittedly, painfully average handheld escapades. Fans of the movie won’t want to give it a miss, but technical hiccups keep it from achieving a greater sense of inner peace. Ninja, go!
With Uruk-hai rallied to your side, this return to Middle-earth impresses in its fearless ambition but is soon let down by repetitive mission design.
Yo-kai Watch 2: Psychic Specters is the definitive adventure between the three games, then. But, that’s to be expected. It isn’t without its shortcomings, but for those that are yet to return to Springdale, it’s the perfect place to start. Quirky and packed with charm, it’s the best Yo-kai game to hit Nintendo 3DS.
Monster Hunter Stories is an adventure like no other, and a standout experience on Nintendo 3DS that is worthy of your time. Heartwarming and memorable, it’s all that you could ever want it to be. Ride On!
Fire Emblem Warriors charges headlong into battle with assured confidence, bolstered with a roster of heroes that effortlessly translate to Dynasty Warriors’ lust for over-the-top action. Your quest to save the kingdom of Aytolis may not find similar strength, but History Mode is resolute in wanting to captivate your attention for hours on end. For that, those that long to rack up ludicrous kill counts in the midst of battle will savour the thrills that this Nintendo Switch exclusive presents.
And, that’s it. It is a shame to see Astro Bears Party score success with its manic gameplay, huggable characters, and minimalistic art direction, only to leave players without enough of a reason to return to orbit their nearest planetoid. It suits Nintendo Switch with its local multiplayer, but a lack of variety makes it hard to recommend – especially with the Nintendo eShop becoming an ever-increasingly competitive place to be.
And, after the credits roll once you reach the cataclysmic conclusion to SteamWorld Dig 2 it is worth taking a moment to look back at the map. Where SteamWorld Dig had really only let the player dig downwards, the network of makeshift tunnels that you carve out in the sequel are a reflection of the personal journey that you have taken. And that freedom, above all else, can be seen as the game’s greatest success.
But, there is no other series that can capture pure joy so readily, and, coupled with the fact that Nintendo has regained their confidence with Nintendo Switch, sees Super Mario Odyssey never hit a bum note. Packed with energy, charm, and every trick in the book thrown in, choosing to hop aboard the Odyssey will undoubtedly result in you having the chance to experience one of the Mario’s greatest adventures. It’s a perfect reminder of the gaming magic that Nintendo is revered for, and something that they have miraculously been able to bottle twice within a single year.
Unbox: Newbie’s Adventure packs character, charm, and potential, but fails to deliver on the goofy adventure that it promises. It’s not bad enough that your parcel will go astray, but any criticism lies more in the fact that wilder ideas were needed to make the activities stand out from the crowd. What we’re left with is a game that treads ground that is too familiar without many fresh ideas away from its main star, which is what nearly put the Global Postal Service out of business in the first place.