Craig Majaski's Reviews
GOOD - Team Sonic Racing is a fun alternative to other competitive racers on the Switch. It features bright and detailed graphics, easy to learn controls, and a cool team-based approach to racing not seen in other titles. It seems a little sparse on tracks and characters, but perhaps we’re just spoiled by MK8 Deluxe. It’s well worth the $40 asking price!
If you want an accurate port of Sonic the Hedgehog on your Switch, then this is your ticket! It’s fun to play on the go or at home on the TV and there are enough little bells and whistles added in to make it worth your while – even if this is your tenth time buying the game!
Pool Panic brings something truly unique to the Nintendo Switch and with it comes some zany characters, crazy levels, and off the wall animations. The game is a joy to play, but even with a plethora of levels to go through, the gameplay hook overstayed its welcome by the end. Still, if you’re up for something different on the Switch, look no further.
Raging Justice takes what you love about classic brawlers and marries it with current day sensibilities. With multiple difficulty levels and settings, leaderboards, and extra stage challenges, there’s more to this game than meets the eye. While it doesn’t do anything revolutionary for the genre, it’s still a great deal of fun and well worth your $15.
Layers of Fear: Legacy is a solid horror effort on the Switch. It combines psychological creepiness with jump scares and tells a disturbing story. There’s not much in the way of action, so if you’re not into the “walking simulator” types of games this one probably won’t be for you. For everyone else, dive headfirst into this mad world.
Not every game needs to be 100 hours long and cost $60. Cosmic Star Heroine hits the sweet spot of delivering fun gameplay mechanics with an upbeat and crazy story filled with charming characters and funny writing.
GOOD - Donut County is a surreal experience featuring a town filled with talking animals. The gameplay hook is swallowing up objects to increase the size of your hole until you can devour everything in sight! If you liked Katamari Damacy, this one will probably be a must-have.
GREAT - Little Nightmares II absolutely nails the dreary and hopeless atmosphere thanks to its detailed graphics and ominous musical score. Even though there’s no narration or story told through text, the game somehow manages to make you care about the main characters and want to help them escape to a better life. Unenjoyable combat and sloppy controls hold the game back from becoming what it could have been, but there’s plenty here to like to give it a hearty recommendation.
GREAT - Mr. Driller DrillLand took a long time to make it to our shores, but now that it’s here puzzle game fans have a reason to celebrate. With multiple modes of play you get to experience Mr. Driller like never before! The soundtrack is absolutely off the charts and fans of bubbly Japanese music will be in heaven. A lack of online multiplayer and leaderboards slightly hampers the replay value, but don’t let that deter you from nabbing this from the eShop.
GREAT - CrossCode is a great action/RPG that features beautiful graphics and an amazing soundtrack. The setting and story are unique but didn’t really wow me as much as I had hoped. The combat and puzzle solving are fun, but some might find aspects of the game too challenging. That being said, there’s a ton to like here and this is a great game for the Switch!
GREAT - Namco Museum Archives Volume 1 is the best Switch compilation from the company so far. With 10 classic NES games (most of which never appeared in this country before) and a demake of Pac-Man Championship Edition, there’s a lot to like here!
GREAT - Trails of Cold Steel III is a lengthy and fun JRPG that’s bound to get lost in the sea of competing titles. It doesn’t help that Switch owners have to jump in with the third in the series, especially since the story and characters are directly connected to the previous games. However, if you stick with it you’ll be rewarded with a fun combat system, endearing characters, and an entertaining adventure.
GREAT - Trine 4 offers up fun and engaging gameplay for up to four players simultaneously. The game is more fun when played with friends, so be sure to invite some over and spend a few nights going through the various worlds, which are beautiful to behold!
GREAT - Torchlight II is a great alternative to Diablo III on the Switch. It carries a Teen rating, which is more appropriate for younger gamers and a great introduction to the dungeon crawling loot RPG genre. A lack of local co-op on one Switch is a bit disappointing, but the four player online co-op more than makes up for it.
GREAT - The originator of the 2-player run-and-gun genre still holds up today. With more Contra than anyone asked for, there’s plenty of aliens to keep you busy for days on end. Be sure to hand a Joy-Con to a friend for maximum enjoyment!
GREAT - Kingdom Two Crowns consumed my time and kept me away from playing the newly released Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – so that’s saying something! There’s a lot to like here, from the visuals to the music to the addicting gameplay. Strategy fans should take notice!
GREAT - Phantasy Star comes to the Switch and it’s loaded with all sorts of options that should please hardcore fans. If you’re new to the game it’s still approachable even today, although having an appreciation for ‘80s 8-bit games will definitely impact your feelings toward it. I’m happy to finally say I’ve played this classic and the Switch’s portable mode is a great way to experience it!
Sometimes old school shmups don’t hold up as well as they did back in the day. Thankfully this isn’t the case with Lightening Force, which happens to be one of the most accessible and fun space shooters I’ve played. This one’s a keeper!
After the last to games crashed and burned, Super Mario Party is a much-needed return to form. With all-new mini-games, great presentation value, and plenty of different modes to mess around with, this is an essential game for anyone hosting a party with friends or family. Players of all ages will find something to like here.
Mega Man 11 is a return to form for the Blue Bomber. The stages are unique and fun to play through, but the difficulty remains high for those seeking a challenge. With pleasing graphics, memorable music, and precise controls, this one’s worth owning.