Gato Roboto accomplishes so much with so little. Even those it looks like a game that would be on the Atari 2600 or the big brick Gameboy, every aspect of Kiki's world glows as bright as one of the best of the Metroidvania genre. Plus, it's a cat in a mech suit, does a game get any more charming than that?
Summary: There's a scarcity of places to save your game, but it's not enough to pass on Xeodrifter. It's minimalism proves that there's still a place for simplicity, even on modern powerhouse consoles. It's like the first Metroid game only, you know, playable.
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 you're looking for a solid arcade action rhythm game, you could certainly do worse than SUPERBEAT: XONiC. Not only can you manage the difficulty to your personal play style, it's sensory overload will get your heart pumping like you were on your feet. This is a compliment: It's like Bop It on acid.
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.
Much like a deep dish pizza, Way of the Passive Fist isn't what it seems on the surface. And like the heavy alternative to the NY slice, it's not something I can recommend to everyone. However, it's a totally inventive, gorgeous, and well-executed spin on rhythm-based games, where the action never lets up.
Classic NES platforming fans, rejoice. Venture Kid succeeds where even Mega Man’s creator failed when trying to capture that classic Blue Bomber feel. Even with minor flaws, Venture Kid will scratch the itch for Mega Man, and if you’re lucky, scrub the memory of Might No. 9 from your brain.
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.
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.
HAUNTED: Halloween '86 is a follow-up to a technically revolutionary concept made real, and unlike many daunting modern titles, it actually pays off in what it's trying to accomplish. Considering that it's made within the technical confines of the NES while retaining modern gaming sensibilities, it's hard not to recommend this charming beat 'em up. I can even overlook the dismal concept of candy corn restoring health.
To succeed as a Metroidvania, a game has to set itself apart from the rest. SuperEpic’s second-screen mini-game approach is not only an innovative concept, it helps underline the satirical conceit the game’s story lays out. Even with its shallow combo-based combat system, there’s plenty here for fans of the genre to enjoy.
BE-A Walker may be a "walking simulator" but it's nowhere near as humdrum as the genre suggests. The easy to pick up, difficult to master controls make the Joy-Cons work in tandem, in near-perfect harmony. The difficulty curve may be too much for some to handle, but if you're looking for a satisfying challenge, this may just be it.
Kevin Smith built a career on fan service, and Jay and Silent Bob: Mall Brawl is as fan service-y as it gets. On its face, it's a typical arcade beat-'em-up, but with a shiny View Askew coat of paint. If you're looking for a solid brawler that harkens to the NES days or you're an aficionado of Smith's filmography, it's easy to recommend this charming title.
While this pack contains two games, the conceit of both, a rhythm-based RPG is ultimately fairly shallow. In the end, just about every RPG element is an afterthought. Still, there's simply far too much charm here to overlook, especially if you're a fan of the long-running Taiko no Tatsujin series or rhythm games in general. Playing either title in docked mode with full volume, or in portable mode with good headphones is enough to get anyone in the groove.
The Nintendo Switch eShop is rife with countless "pick up and play" games, and would you know it, most of them aren't very good. Plenty more are cheap knockoffs of better games. Mom Hid My Game 2 is chock full of something few games have anymore: surprises. If you're looking for a new and unique puzzle experience, My Mom Hid My Game 2 is a fun little time sink.
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.
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.
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.
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.