How Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 compares to previous entries in the series, I can't say. But if-like me-you're new to the EDF brand of crazy, co-op action gameplay, this is a wonderfully fun and entertaining place to start.
Miniatures is an extremely short collection of four… I hesitate to say games. Emotions? Memories? It relies more on mystery and melancholy to connect with the player. It can therefore be very intriguing, but at the risk of leaving some to wonder what was the point.
Pinball M – Camp Bloodbrook is a fun, well-designed addition to Zen Studios' growing catalog of original pinball tables. The game makes proper use of Pinball M's visuals and effects, and it challenges the player without ever feeling like it's going for a cheap "kill."
The Smurfs – Dreams is going to pleasantly surprise a lot of people who think they're just playing it to keep their kids happy. Although never too challenging, its colorful visuals, clever gimmicks, and solid 3D platforming gameplay help it escape the franchise tie-in doldrums.
As an arcade rail shooter, Rogue Flight hits all of its marks. It doesn't aim for anything outside of the norm, but that allows it to focus entirely on its frenetic gameplay and anime setup/presentation. Players of all skill levels will be able to hop in and enjoy.
I credit Falcom for continually tweaking the action JRPG elements of the Ys series, this time introducing naval battles and restricting melee combat to just two characters. Not everything works in Ys X: Nordics, but the open exploration and streamlined combat compensate for the elements that frustrate.
Clock Tower: Rewind provides an effectively creepy tale, especially if you're a fan of 16-bit adventure gaming, throwback puzzle solving, or…David Argento? This "rewind," however, would need to be more of a "remake" to appeal to most modern gamers.
Camp Sunshine is a short but fun take on ’80s slasher movies. The 16-bit graphics fit the era, and the balance of puzzles, fetch quests, and survival horror will keep players entertained over the course of this bloody night in the woods.
Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open plays much more like a visual novel than an action/adventure game as claimed in the Nintendo eShop, but it provides enough minigames, light puzzle solving, and general creepiness to appeal to younger gamers haunted by the prospect of growing up.
Drova is an old-school action RPG with modern sensibilities. Unlike the games from which it draws inspiration, its focus on community makes the player feel they're part of something bigger than the patronage of the local tavern. Better, it provides a real sense of accomplishment as your character slowly learns how to survive this grim but engaging world.
The violent mix of combat and platforming provided by Gori: Cuddly Carnage won't be for everyone, but it will be for more people than you'd expect. The gameplay is surprisingly engaging if you're willing to take on the unsettling visuals.
Reynatis is a game with ambitions. Vaulting ambitions, unfortunately. Its convoluted story, annoying combat issues, and systemic glitches will turn away all but the most devout of action- JRPG fans. But if you're in that category and you're up for something new, there are enough clever approaches here to make this trip to alternate Shibuya worthwhile.
Cash Cow DX certainly looks and sounds like it would've fit right in with your favorite '80s arcade games, but you'd have either needed crazy skills or a bag full of quarters to play it for long. The game's immediate difficulty will turn away a good portion of its target audience.
The best part about the remastered Ace Attorney Investigations Collection is that western gamers finally get to play through the second Miles Edgeworth game, which was previously released only in Japan. The second best part is everything else.
Sunsoft is Back! Retro Game Selection is more about peculiarity than playability. If you're into NES-era oddities, all three games will deliver despite their difficulty. Priced to move, it's a fun collection to experience. Just don't expect that experience to last.
Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is an exceptionally difficult arcade-action game that's best enjoyed when shared with a friend. This release's gameplay and visual tweaks modernize the experience a bit, but it's still likely to appeal solely to those accustomed to the challenges of early '90s NES action games.
BAKERU is a light-hearted action game that's as vibrant and boisterous as the festival you're tasked with quelling. The combat can feel repetitive across the game's 50+ levels, but there's enough to learn and do to keep players pushing ahead in this rollicking adventure through fairy tale Japan.
Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid provides a gaming adventure as cozy as its name. Its stakes may be low, but it packs in plenty to accomplish and will have players feeling nostalgic for a time they may have never even experienced.
NeoSprint updates the '70s arcade racer with the modern features you'd expect from Atari: multiple racing modes, numerous tracks, a track builder, etc. Unfortunately, it locks most of the content behind the single-player campaign mode, and it doesn't include online multiplayer. The fun is there, you just have to work to get to it.
Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is a fun, accessibly challenging game that looks fantastic on the Switch. There aren't enough new elements or improvements to help it compare to Luigi's Mansion 3, but it's still an enjoyable romp, especially for those who didn't visit Evershade Valley on the 3DS.