The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure is a great turn-based JRPG that holds up exceptionally well against its modern competitors. The story and combat system are equally deep, allowing the game's bigger moments to carry players through a fair amount of combat repetition and prolonged narrative dumps.
Although the two games that compose the Lara Croft collection are actually Tomb Raider spin-offs, they provide a local multiplayer experience that will entertain arcade-action fans and achievement-seekers alike. They're also a reminder of what we used to love about the Tomb Raider games.
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.
Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft does just enough with the original Tomb Raider games to make them a great fit for the Nintendo Switch. The ability to instantly flip between the original and remastered graphics is entertaining, but the real fun lies with the games themselves. And these are the three best Tomb Raiders ever made.
Developer Fallen Squirrel worked with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) to create The Vale: Shadow of the Crown for blind gamers, but it should appeal to anyone who enjoys a good action adventure. What it lacks in visuals it makes up for with its unique use of familiar RPG elements and its stunning audio presentation. The Vale's somewhat repetitive gameplay doesn't outlast its welcome.
Not a Hero: Super Snazzy Edition is a vulgar, violent game, but the pixelated and colorful presentation—coupled with its sharp sense of humor—help to keep the tone light. I was pleasantly surprised by the snappy, addictive gameplay when I first dug into it, and although its repetitive nature and a couple annoying design choices and glitchy controls did temper that, it remained a fun game to play throughout. Just make sure you don't do so with your parents/kids in the room. Should they walk in, however, you can always just return to the character selection screen and play some happy music.
Super Dungeon Tactics has been out for computers and other consoles for a while now, and that works to your advantage; the Switch version is available to download for only $19.99, making it an excellent option for fans of turn-based RPGs. With its clever and accessible combat management mechanics and a charming array of characters, Super Dungeon Tactics is definitely a title worth checking out, especially for those enjoying God Wars or who fondly recall the Luminous Arc series.
All of this comes together for a mostly engaging strategic experience that is just long enough to not wear out its welcome. You're not going to sink hundreds of hours into it like you did with Breath of Wild and Xenoblade Chronicles 2, but that's a good thing in this case. Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac age chugs along at a decent speed (albeit sometimes slowed by long, repetitive environments and the micromanagement of the gambit system), with story elements dropped in just often enough to keep you intrigued.
I enjoyed Golf Peaks from start to finish. It's a fun, light game that's perfectly suited for portable play on the Switch, but is equally engaging in docked mode where it's easy to have some others help solve the puzzles. This is not priced to be a game that'll remain on your Switch for a long time, but you may find you'll keep it around for some quick brain flexing between bigger sessions with your standard, go-to titles.
Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince may be the best of the Trine series, and it certainly deserves your consideration. If it's been a while since you've played Trine 1 or 2, by all means, dig in. But if you're just now getting into the series via any of the multiple packages available, you may start to feel burnt out before finishing this particular chapter.
The RPG element has been overblown, but it provides just enough incentive for you to get up and move. More importantly, it's engaging enough to keep you on top of it well after you'd've lost interest in other exercise apps. The Ring-Con itself is a quality accessory that's easy to use, and the whole package provides mostly accurate readings and feedback.
You don't have to be a puzzle aficionado to enjoy Glass Masquerade 2: Illusions. It helps, of course, as would an appreciation for quality artwork. What really matters here, though, is that the game is so well-crafted and presented that it serves as a captivating, ethereal way to spend time relaxing with your Switch.
inbento is a joyful little game that's wonderfully presented. It's perhaps too challenging for young kids, however, and not varied enough for adults. That doesn't mean it's not worth playing, but rather—like lunch itself—that it's best enjoyed if you and a youngster can share the time spent with it.
Baron: Fur is Gonna Fly is a clever, comical, completely accessible combat game that'll appeal to arcade action fans of any age level. Gameplay is tight, the characters are engaging, and the music is simply outstanding. The Royal Guardsmen would definitely be proud…even if Snoopy himself is called out here.
To do today: get up, brush teeth, follow strange dream about a deer and head off to the cursed castle to see what happens. Sounds like a plan, so what could possibly go wrong? Well, we all know the answer to that question, don't we? In Operencia, you take off on a journey of exploration, adventure, and heroic deeds—not to mention monsters and mayhem. If you enjoy turn based RPGs, this one is worth checking out.
If you subscribe to Apple Arcade and can play Shinsekai Into the Depths on any of your Apple devices, there's little to be gained by moving it to the Switch. But if the Switch is your only access to this undersea wonderland, Shinsekai is an intriguing, engaging, and beautiful adventure worth exploring.
Aces of the Sky immediately hits you with frenzied, stylized, WWI-era aerial combat, then does little to change the formula throughout its two stories. Whether you can deal with the repetitiveness depends upon how much of an arcade gamer you (and hopefully a nearby squad mate) really are.
Because of its dedicated focus on strategy, Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia is a refreshing change to today's gimmicky turn-based JRPGs. Its serious story, unique gameplay elements, and challenging scenarios will appeal to those who recall a time when tactical games were more about strategy and less about selecting their waifu.
Whether or not you fancy yourself a platformer aficionado, Alwa's Legacy should be on your playlist. It combines retro graphics with modern precision to create a wonderfully engaging experience that strikes a fun balance between platforming and puzzle solving.
BIT.TRIP FLUX is the game Pong would have become if better parents had raised it. This challenging arcade action rhythm game should be one of the first you get in the BIT.TRIP series, although there's no real point in going back to BEAT if you do.