If you have a Switch and want this game, then it's really hard to find you a good reason to purchase this over the Switch version. I couldn't give you a single reason why, given the choice, you would ever side with the 3DS version, unless maybe you really love having a map on the second screen. It is of course always going to play second fiddle to it's more powerful comrade, naturally, but if you focus on pure gameplay then they are virtually identical, so don't think you're being short-changed if you only have a 3DS to play it on. It's a game, like Hyrule Warriors, that isn't for everyone, but those that enjoyed that game are going to have tons of fun with this title too. There is still life yet left in Nintendo's everlasting handheld.
At the end of the day, however, I think the majority of people are going to play this game for the main Superstar Saga story, so what you are getting is an extremely good game that if you have never played the original, then I truly envy you. The new style they have gone for is great and it works really well to show off the emotions and charm that all of the characters possess. The improvement in graphics over the original is quite drastic but the original has its own charm and is not bad by any means. The music likewise is top-notch with plenty of great remixes of old songs and originals that will get stuck in your head all day. So all in all, while it isn’t perfect and the new Bowsers Minions mode that has been included is a bit hit and miss, it’s still a very enjoyable experience all-round. If you’re new to RPG’s and want to give one a go, then this is a great place to start. Like it did with me 14 years ago, it may make you a fan.
It’s strange to get a game and its sequel to both play largely the same, but appeal to different people. The first Resident Evil Revelations hasn’t aged amazingly well, looks a bit rough around the edges, and has a few dodgy moments, but overall it is good, single-player Resident Evil game that tries its best to use the formula of number 4 but also goes back to a more survival horror style. Whereas Resident Evil Revelations 2 is easily best played in co-op, so much so it’s hard to recommend to somebody wanting to play it by themselves. With the right friend, it’s a ton of fun and is probably the best co-op experience on the Nintendo Switch right now. The Resident Evil series has had its fair share of missteps, but these two games were, and are, a step in the right direction. Nintendo Switch owners are in for a treat.
Layers of Fear: Legacy is more about the story than anything else, so make sure you’re prepared for that when you go in. It’s a game that if you allow it to, will just completely grip you and won’t let go, and because it is up to you to uncover a lot of the story by searching around, you will want to explore the mansion for just that bit longer. It is also very creative and clever with its use of set-pieces and, on the face of it, random room setups, which helps the game from ever becoming overly dull or boring. I can now say, with ease, that the Nintendo Switch has its first great, proper horror game. It may also be one of the best horror games of the last few years on any platform.
It isn’t the complete package version of Football Manager, no, but it is the version that best suits the Switch. Touch screen controls mixed with the good use of the Joy-Con and on the go playability make it a winner. It may go unnoticed but being able to play for 5-10 minutes at a time to continue to progress through a season is a godsend.
WarioWare Gold is a culmination of all the wacky and wonderful Wario titles we have had over the last 15 years. Although it is missing, for obvious reasons, some content from the other games, you are getting the definitive version of WarioWare.
It isn’t often that I would recommend a port of a mobile game, but The Room is an exception. It is a game that simply works on the Nintendo Switch, regardless of whether you play it in Handheld mode or on the TV. The puzzles are clever, unique and engaging. Once you start, you will not want to put your Switch down. Its only real problem is I simply want more.
Broken Sword 5: The Serpent’s Curse doesn’t do anything special for the point-and-click genre, but that’s perfectly fine as it does exactly what it sets out to do. As a fan of the first two games, this was what I wanted. Not everything is perfect, such as the animations and some inconsistent voice acting. However, if you’re a fan, you will find a lot more to love than the average player.
Human Resource Machine is a really smart game and one that makes you feel like both a mastermind at times and, well, quite the opposite too. It throws a unique spin on the puzzle genre which many fans will love but also at times grow frustrated at due to the difficulty spike.
The biggest barrier for people would be that not only is UNO cheaper to buy in its physical form, it also allows you to play proper competitive matches against friends and family, which isn’t possible on the Switch unless you have multiple consoles and multiple versions of the game. Playing this version of it does have its advantages, but whilst you can only play against the CPU and online on the digital version of UNO, there’s no reason why you couldn’t play a co-op match with the physical deck. But overall, if you are looking for a streamlined and easy to play version of the classic card game, then why not try your hand with UNO for the Switch.
Blaster Master Zero unquestionably isn’t the finest of the modern retro games, but it is still a blast to play through. If you’re harkening for a smaller game that isn’t going to break the bank then you can certainly do a lot worse than this.
I found Mr. Shifty to be a really fun and enjoyable game, that had a great core mechanic and played like one of my all-time favourite games. The challenge isn’t quite there however and it does get a bit repetitive the more you go on. There isn’t a great deal of replayability besides beating previous times, which isn’t enough to keep me coming back. But for those who want a short-lived but super slick and really fun game then I can certainly recommend Mr. Shifty to those people. It’s no Hotline Miami beater, but then again, what is?
In the end though, Hey! Pikmin is a solid game and a decent first attempt at bridging out the franchise to multiple genres. The Pikmin seem to have a lot more personality in this game than previous entries and you get to see a more playful side to them. It isn’t the longest game out there but there are plenty of things to do that will elongate the experience such as beating each level without losing any Pikmin, as that grants you a gold trophy and of course you can challenge yourself to find every single piece of treasure in the game.
All of us at some point in our lives would have bought a much more inferior game than Kamiko that would have lasted a lot longer. But at the end of the day, if you get a better game at a very low price, regardless of how long the experience lasts, if you asked me which is the better deal of the two, I would go with Kamiko every day.
However, Little Inferno will not be everybody’s cup of tea and at some points, you will be really enjoying the experience and then all of a sudden think the opposite, it really is that kind of game. It’s a relatively enjoyable experience but I personally would try out the two other Switch games by the same developer first before becoming a pyromaniac in Little Inferno.
NBA Playgrounds is fun, of that there is no doubt. It’s just that the fun doesn’t last all that long. After playing a few matches I simply had no motivation to have another without taking a break from it first. If you’re a huge basketball fan and you’re planning on playing a lot of local multiplayer, it’ll be far more appealing to you. If all you want is a game that will ease the itch for an over the top street basketball game in the same vein as NBA Jam then this will satisfy it somewhat. Just don’t expect it to become your favourite ever basketball game, because it has some way to go.
Pinstripe is a game that isn’t without its problems. For me, what kept me going was the story and the characters. It feels like it’s a game that accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do and doesn’t try to be anything more. Its simple gameplay might put some off, as will some of the dodgy design flaws such as the backtracking that takes place, but stick with it and you will find an adventure that will stay with you for a long time to come.
Overall, Runbow Pocket is just as fun as it was on the Wii U with plenty of content, plenty of costumes and characters to unlock as you go through. There is just the one pretty big omission from this release that stops it being a good replacement for other versions, that being the local multiplayer. If you can get over that or if you are only looking to get the game for its single player component, then there is plenty to enjoy about Runbow Pocket. It’s a fun, colourful game that is worth jumping in and out of, which is what the New Nintendo 3DS is great for.
If you enjoy a slower game with a brilliant and touching story or stories in which, to get the most out of it, you have to give it your full attention, then The Lion’s Song may very well be a game that you will love and think about for months to come.
On the whole, any concerns that the Switch would get a watered down or poor port of L.A. Noire are well and truly quashed. Yes the game isn’t perfect and it still has a few problems that haven’t been entirely addressed such as slightly clunky controls during the more tightly spaced areas, the gunplay and the not so overly specific dialogue system, but for a six-year-old game it still holds up extremely well and as mentioned earlier, some aspects have yet to be bettered. If you have never played the game before then this is a great way to experience it.