Justin Sharp's Reviews
I know I've spent a lot of time discussing my qualms with this new formula for Zelda games but I did still enjoy myself. Don't get me wrong, everyone should play Tears of the Kingdom. The new outfits to find are fun and varied, the caves are really interesting and Ultrahand has some fun uses. It is an incredible achievement but it's just not what I'm looking for in Zelda games. That's a shame for those of us that want those classic elements back. I don't think the Zelda 'formulas' are mutually exclusive. I think there's a better balance they can strike but they're not there yet. I can only hope Nintendo takes stock of the sincere critiques of these two Zelda games and find ways to accommodate all Zelda fans moving forward.
Super Mega Baseball 4 has a bit more competition on the Nintendo Switch than it used to with the likes of MLB The Show 22 and MLB The Show 23 but it's still the king of arcade style baseball games. Since MLB has moved beyond the R.B.I. Baseball series, there's really not much else in this genre. If you're looking for a fast, fun, easy to pick up and play baseball game, Super Mega Baseball 4 is gonna be right up your alley!
It's hard to knock the Delicious Last Course on anything other than I just didn't find it very fun - as was the case with the base game. Everything else though, from performance to visuals and music, is top notch. If you're a bit of a glutton for punishment and want some more bosses to fight, the Delicious Last Course might be up your alley. And, for only $7.99, it's pretty easy on the wallet.
I was really looking forward to Mario Strikers: Battle League, and for the most part it has been a worthy successor, but it's a little hampered by the complexity of the gameplay. Even scoring goals can be a bit difficult overall. Soccer is definitely not known for high-scoring affairs but it is simply too difficult to score goals in the time allotted. This does seem to be different from what I remember in the previous games. It was a bit easier to score goals and that is definitely missed. There's a balance that sports games need to strike, but Battle League does tend to be just a bit more difficult. Still, there is a lot to love about Mario Strikers: Battle League, but it almost made me want a remaster of the first two games more than anything.
Overall though, Metroid Dread is excellent. MercurySteam has more than proven themselves to be a worthy steward of the 2D Metroid games. They understand the genre and what fans are looking for from Nintendo’s bounty hunter extraordinaire. Metroid Dread is simply a must-play title for newcomers and fans alike.
Overall, R.B.I. Baseball 21 has a number of new features that bring it more in line with similar baseball games on the market. I enjoy my time with each new iteration but I do hope that the developers work on more fluid animations and overall 'feel' of the gameplay. It can be frustrating at times seeing players move strangely across the field or feeling like the ball is 'magnetizing' into a defender's glove in an odd manner. Even though there's the occasional stutter when loading between innings or frame rate issues in the home run replays, it has still come a long way since R.B.I. Baseball 17. I've got to give the developers credit for sticking with the series and always aiming to improve each year. If you're looking for an MLB-licensed, arcade-focused baseball game, you won't really find a better option on the Switch.
I really can't recommend Boomerang Fu enough. At $14.99, it packs a lot of replay value and is one of the stand-out multiplayer games on the Switch. I'd put it up there with other great indie multiplayer co-op games like the Overcooked series and Moving Out (Check out our Overcooked review). If you're looking for a great, local multiplayer title to play with some friends/family, definitely check out Boomerang Fu.
Overall, Samurai Shodown! 2 has come over quite well to the Switch. If you've played the original, you'll find most everything is in-tact save for the trading card send/receive system (which is understandable). Cards can still be collected in-game, just not traded to friends from what I could tell. I can think of some better fighting games on the Switch that I would probably purchase first but for a walk down memory lane or to see a classic portable fighting game in action, Samurai Shodown! 2 is certainly a fun novelty.
There are much more capable racing games I’d recommend for the Switch, and unless you have some fond memories of the original game, I wouldn’t recommend this remaster until a steep discount happens.
The pitching mechanics have improved, the base-stealing is light-years better than before (it actually takes good timing and skill to execute), and the game's performance is excellent. There were only a couple hiccups I experienced, but that was in online play which could've just been connection related. If you've been looking for a great baseball game to play on the Switch, Super Mega Baseball 3 should be your first choice. They're also offering a free demo that allows you to play the online Pennant Race mode, play the Exhibition games, and access to player customizations. Hope to see you in-game sometime soon!
For the most part, R.B.I. Baseball 20 is the best the series has been in a lot of areas–even the soundtrack is better this year!
Metro: Last Light is included in the 'Metro Redux' package for the Switch. While you can certainly buy the games separately from the eShop, I think it's still good to experience the series from its roots. You'll notice the improvements that have been made and I believe your time with the game will be that much more satisfying. Just like with Metro 2033, this game features all of the DLC including a 'Ranger Mode' that offers a HUD-less, UI-less experience with more powerful enemies and even fewer resources. If you can't get enough of the Metro experience, you'll want to give the Ranger Mode a try.
While certainly an interesting game, Metro 2033 won't be for every first-person shooter fan. However, if you enjoy a more thought provoking, story-driven adventure you'll most likely enjoy yourself. With all of the game's DLC included, there's a good amount of content to keep you busy.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Luigi's latest adventure. The Nintendo Switch is already home to plenty of great games, but Luigi's Mansion 3 falls under the "absolutely essential" category. If you own a Switch, you simply have to give this game a whirl.
GRID Autosport is almost in a class of its own on the Nintendo Switch. The game is one of the best looking Switch games and is the best racing simulator experience available on the console. While games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Crash Team Racing lead the system's kart racing options–GRID Autosport has shot to the top of the list if you want to race in real-world environments. The level of care that Feral has put into the Switch version is apparent with even more options to come. If you're in the market for a racing sim to take on-the-go, you can't do any better than GRID Autosport.
Overall, Super Mega Baseball 2 is a great package–there is a ton of depth, plenty of customization options for players, teams, and leagues, and online multiplayer. If you can get around the art-style, the poor soundtrack and umpire sound effects, the game is really a ton of fun. If you're a baseball fan, it's definitely worth checking out and being able to play on-the-go makes this the definitive version of the game.
Cadence of Hyrule didn't click with me at first but the Fixed Beat Mode really helped. Without that mode, I don't think this game would have as much appeal but the developers were wise to include it. With such a great visual presentation and an excellent soundtrack, players need to check out Cadence of Hyrule even if they're just a little curious. The gameplay may trip you up as it did for me, but check out the Fixed Beat Mode–you'll be glad you did!
All that being said, Hob is still a solid title with a good amount of content. You're looking at 10 hours easily with even more if you're going for 100% completion. While certainly not of the same quality of a Legend of Zelda or even Hyper Light Drifter, Hob still has some great entertainment value if you're looking for a good adventure/exploration game.
While AWAY: Journey to the Unexpected features some great 2D character models and animations, the gameplay simply didn't provide a fun experience. Close-up first-person combat and first-person platforming has never been easy in games and AWAY doesn't take any meaningful step forward in solving those issues.
I certainly don't regret my time spent with Cuphead, but also I don't know when I'll pick up the game again. There's too much rinse and repeat and rote memorization of bosses to be fun for me after a while. That being said, if you're looking for a steep challenge, Cuphead will certainly satisfy. The game is definitely a huge accomplishment–I just wish it was more universally accessible and fun for everyone.