Howl combines challenging turn-based gameplay, creative visual effects, and a somber story to produce a unique strategy puzzle game. Built-in repetition and a lack of instruction do slow things down, but, taken in smaller doses, there's enough here to compel most puzzle fans through to its resolution.
Super Crazy Rhythm Castle is a chaotic mix of gaming tasks and music styles that will continue to surprise and delight players throughout…provided the required rhythm precision doesn't turn them away first. Definitely don't try it alone, and make sure your co-op partners-either locally or online-are fully up to speed as you progress.
Terra Alia: The Language Discovery RPG is an OK game that does an OK job of introducing you to the vocabulary of your choice from 10 available languages. Its story and combat system are not compelling enough to attract those uninterested in the education component, but the language gimmick offers a unique experience that can reinforce players' outside lessons.
Long Gone Days is an RPG with a very smart story. It's a bit of a shame, then, that the gameplay elements are elementary. If you allow yourself to get attached to this somber world and its young cast of sympathetic characters, however, the experience will be well worth your time.
Easy Japanesey is anything but. This educational game attempts to teach Japanese vocabulary and character recognition, but it provides little in the way of instructions or context. It also barely provides a user interface and is, therefore, as much fun to use as a fast food self-checkout kiosk.
Ebenezer and the Invisible World brings a fun, holiday-themed premise and palette to Metroidvanias, but not much else. Annoying issues and gameplay repetition will bring out the Scrooge in some gamers, but Metroidvania fans may see it through to redemption.
Fate/Samurai Remnant is a Musou game for players who just can't get into Musou combat. By relying more on narrative, puzzles, and RPG stat building, it certainly has a broader reach for action gamers. The new formula still becomes repetitive, however, and performance issues on the Switch may start to nag after a while.
The core gameplay and roguelite loop of Hello Kitty and Friends Happiness Parade likely won't hold the attention of rhythm game fans for long. Its J-pop charms, however, may be enough to win over Hello Kitty fans or those who just enjoy happiness in general.
The visuals and roguelike elements of World of Horror combine to create a wholly unique experience for Switch users. The gameplay loop does become repetitive rather quickly, but the short gaming sessions and changing relationship between events make this a successful and scary diversion from the norm.
Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless is a difficult SRPG to push through if you have no previous experience with the series. But you've got to start somewhere, right? And once you get into the flow of it, you may find yourself losing a month or two to the game's unique elements, tricky systems, and joyful charms.
The appeal of BBG Entertainment's Astrosmash remake is not in what it modernizes, but in what it retains from the original. Although it looks good and runs great on the Nintendo Switch, its best feature is how accurately it recreates the feeling of playing it on the Intellivision in the early '80s.
Silent Hope is a simple action RPG that provides plenty of fun even if it doesn't pose a substantial challenge. Paying all playable characters equal attention will lead to redundancy, but shifting your focus to just a few will help the quick combat and hero customization to carry you through.
Dynablaster adds a modern sheen to the original Bomberman gameplay. Key-collecting mode is fun, and there's some multiplayer value. But this release-originally intended for the Intellivision Amico-doesn't otherwise do enough to justify its asking price on the Switch.
BBG's remake of the Intellivison's Shark! Shark! works better as a multiplayer game than a solo experience, but you have to be into its simple, chill vibe. Younger/newer players will stick with the game longer than those seeking more frenetic battles and challenges, but it's priced accordingly.
Trombone Champ is a goofy, chaotic music sim that never for a moment takes itself seriously. Everything from the gameplay to the song selection to the loading screens is meant to amuse, making it a perfect fit for the Switch. The fun can wear off quickly when playing solo, but it's consistently entertaining for a full band (up to a quartet, anyway).
The arcade games that comprise Taito Milestones 2 may not be well-known, but that doesn't mean there's no fun to be found here. The collection focuses heavily on shoot 'em ups and platformers, and the best titles come from those genres. The brawlers, unfortunately, are best left forgotten.
Pikmin may be a somewhat overlooked Nintendo franchise, but it's also consistently one of their best. Pikmin 4 is arguably the best game in the series, making it a perfect place for newcomers to start. And if you've played the previous games, it's a fantastic reward for your patience between releases.
Might & Magic – Clash of Heroes: Definitive Edition's nearly perfect combination of puzzle and RPG elements make for engrossing gameplay that's only occasionally hampered by frustration with the components that involve random luck. Whether this is your first playthrough or a double (or even triple) dip, it's not to be missed.
Cross Tails is one of KEMCO's more unique releases in quite some time. Although the story never surprises, the gameplay mechanics of this isometric, tactical JRPG certainly do. Turn-based combat fans shouldn't let this one slip past without serious consideration.
Garlic is difficult retro platformer that manages to be accessible to those normally put off by "difficult," "retro," and "platformer." Copious checkpoints and a fun mix of styles, visuals, and mini-games should push even the more casual gamers through. Give Garlic a try; the taste may surprise you.