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.
Megaton Musashi W: Wired has a good-enough story and decent-enough gameplay to keep mech enthusiasts entertained, but the real attraction lies in the myriad ways to customize and overpower your robot. Players will want to spend more time in the hangar than on the battlefield. I think that's OK in this case, as the battlefield isn't terribly exciting.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak takes a while to get moving, but is otherwise as J as JRPGs can get. A new cast of characters and the new settings make it more accessible than previous Trails releases on the Switch, and gameplay tweaks will please those who don't enjoy the grind of turn-based combat and complex party management.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance adds enough new content and fixes enough problems to more than justify this update. It's a much better experience overall, and is an easy recommendation for JRPG gamers…especially if you lost your way during the original release.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a good game. Although billed as a spiritual successor to the Suikoden games, you don't need to have played them to enjoy this JRPG adventure. You do need some patience, however, as performance issues and its "traditional" ways continue to trip up the Switch version.
Musashi vs. Cthulhu is as basic as an action game can be; combat is reduced entirely to aiming and timing your sword strikes. This makes it easy to get into and fun to play, but that fun likely won't hold for those who aren't interested in score-chasing or leaderboards.
Goliath Depot effectively pays tribute to early '80s arcade gameplay, and would've fit right in next to the machines that inspired it. Although aimed at classic gamers, modern features such as leaderboards, level randomizers, and a speedrun mode should help it appeal to a wider audience.
Ikki Unite adds a Vampire Survivors spin to a 1985 game you've probably never even heard of. It works, but only if you're able to take advantage of the online multiplayer. On your own, it's just repetitive nonsense.
Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- Sweep the Board! offers a unique take on party board games and anime-based games in general. It's an easy recommendation for fans of the series, but those simply seeking a truly fresh spin on a somewhat perfunctory formula should enjoy it regardless of their mastered breathing style.
Class of Heroes 1&2: Complete Edition brings the turn-based, PSP dungeon crawlers Class of Heroes: Anniversary Edition and Class of Heroes 2G: Remaster Edition to the Switch, but not in a way that's accessible or fun. You have better options. Use them.
Initial frustration with balloon navigation eventually clears to let the lighter puzzle and platforming elements of Passing By – A Tailwind Journey create an overall pleasant experience. Even with survival elements, however, gameplay may be a bit too cozy and relaxed to hold players' attention.
As far as 2D horror platformers go, Unlife is about as indie as they can get. Grammar errors, UI issues, and awkward controls abound, but they somehow add to the B movie charm if you're in the right mood. It's not a game I'd recommend to most, but to those to whom I would recommend it, I'd do so with gusto.
Loretta is an intriguing, often chilling adventure game throwback to cinema noir and pulp fiction. Complex characters and even more complex plot layers stack for an experience that's meant to be enjoyed multiple times. Its themes are not for the faint of heart, but we could say the same about life in general, can't we?
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.