If you're looking for a title that relieves tension instead of building it, My Time at Portia is as soothing as gaming gets. The craft-heavy life sim offers new spins on mainstays like farming, mining, and even fishing. It's the closest gaming equivalent to a warm cup of cocoa: soothing and satisfying. If Harvest Moon and Breath of the Wild had a baby, I'm positive their beautiful brood would feel like My Time at Portia.
I'm not sure who Little Shopping is for. Sure, there's bright colors and even numbers to challenge young minds, but I'm positive a simple game of Tetris would be more satisfying and more stimulating than this barebones virtual shopping game. It's hard to recommend this game. As a former kid who was occasionally settled with poor titles, I can only say firmly: Kids deserve better.
Daggerhood isn't a platformer built with everyone in mind. In fact, even a few die-hards may find it to be a little too difficult. If you're looking for a platformer that's far-flung from the easier titles the genre is known for, it's not a bad place to start. It may be the only Nintendo Switch eShop title under $5 that not only gives you more bang for your buck but has an incredible amount of polish.
Mana Spark's premise pays off and will turn into a time sink for anyone even remotely into the dungeon-crawling genre. Despite the addictive nature of this simply presented game, the loading screens will make you shout expletives out loud: especially when progressing, or worse, dying.
If you played New Super Mario Bros. U the first time around, it's hard recommending its Deluxe iteration unless you simply can't be bothered to plug in your Wii U again. However, if you were waiting all these years for an easy mode, playing through the game as Toadette will surely satisfy.
Omega Strike isn't breaking any new ground, but who cares? Unlike some metroidvanias, it's engrossing, engaging, and never lets up. For those hungry for the adventures of Samus and Simon Belmont, Omega Strike will surely satisfy.
There's no tutorial to be found in this puzzle game that will likely be hard to grasp for most. Once you get the grip of the color-changing mechanics, it can easily become a rewarding puzzle experience. If you're a casual puzzle fan, look elsewhere: this is one of the toughest puzzling experiences out there. Tease your brain in a handful of dimensions.
Fortnite won't be the only free-to-play game hogging your time on the Nintendo Switch. Panic Button's port of Warframe sings, despite the obvious technical limitations that Nintendo consoles typically suffer from. If you're hungry for a space-marine stealth shooter that you can play with pals, Warframe is your best (and perhaps only) bet on the Nintendo eShop.
Who would have thought that the classic action-RPG would be revitalized by the typically boring prospect of running a small business? Diving into procedurally generated dungeons and slaying beasts with every manner of weapon answers the question, “What would a 2D version of Breath of the Wild look and play like?” Well, sort of like Moonlighter.
I've purchased this game on every console I own, and happily purchased it again. No sour grapes here either, never has this game felt more at home than when playing on a Joy-Con.
It's hip to be square? Nah. It's hip to be Nefarious! Grade A platforming, hilariously charming characters, and reverse boss battles make this indie stand out among a bloated genre. It would be downright nasty to give this title anything less than a perfect score.
Like a hybrid car, Manual Samuel starts slow, but once it kicks into high gear, there's far too much charm to not enjoy yourself. Controlling Samuel is a daunting, but incredibly rewarding task for anyone who can master the button-mashing physics this game relies on. If there's room for PC adventure games in your heart, you'll be right at home with Manual Samuel.
If Super Smash Bros. and Marvel Vs. Capcom made sweet love, Blade Strangers would be their beautiful baby. Fighting game veterans might find the gameplay a little too user-friendly and ultimately shallow. Still, it's hard not to get addicted to the elegant combo system, and playing as all your favorite indie legends.
The concept of Little Dragon's Cafe is genius, but its execution is a little sloppy. Many of the game's tasks feel like actual chores instead of the streamlined management of Yasuhiro Wada's past titles. Despite its clear flaws, the food, characters, and world are too gorgeous to ignore.
Ultra Space Battle Brawl is exactly what it says it is: an intergalactic Pong game on steroids. Hell, throw in a little Street Fighter II there for good measure. There's an incredibly charming neon polish in every corner of this title, and the tense sports action is satisfying to say the least. If you're looking for this generation's Wind Jammers, Ultra Space Battle Brawl can't be missed.
No, it won't replace the Ikaruga's or Raiden's of your past, but Iro Hero is a valiant crack at the all-too-rare shoot ‘em up genre. If you've got a top-down, bullet-heavy adventure itch that needs scratching, Iro Hero will likely satisfy.
The controls are a little wonkier than they should be, but there's far too many great elements in this game to ignore. Pool Panic gives you everything you want from a pick-up-and-play sports title. It's consistently charming, challenging, and in some cases, might even make you chagrin.
Even after the initial goofiness wears off, Bomb Chicken coasts to greatness on the game's everlasting charm. It works like all effective puzzle platformers do: on a simple premise executed beautifully. Plus, it's a Chicken who poops bombs. What's not to love?
Pang fans will feel very at home with Pirate Pop which is a charming homage to the Buster Bros. of old. There aren't many frills here, but in some cases, it's what makes the game sing. As far as pick-up-and-play action-puzzlers on the Nintendo Switch eShop are concerned, Pirate Pop Plus is a total treasure.
Does Kirby Star Allies do anything radically new? No, not really. But it is a full-fledged console Kirby title, something many of us have sorely longed for. It's a good single player experience to be sure, but truly comes into its own as a multi-player title. Like most things, Kirby Star Allies is just plain better with friends.