Raul Ochoa
Dead or Alive 6 Last Round is a really good fighting game with plenty of single-player content and online features to keep newcomers and returning fans happy. The game's optimizations and improvements are welcome, but the lack of rollback netcode and cross-play at launch holds Dead or Alive 6 Last Round back.
EA Sports UFC 6 is a great sports-fighting game that brings a slew of single-player content that new and returning UFC fans will enjoy. With well over 100 playable fighters on the base roster, there's a legend or current-day superstar to test out with the improved gameplay mechanics and new features, including the all-new and intuitive Flow State. The game's assist and difficulty options also give you control and ease you into what's new in EA Sports UFC 6.
Forza Horizon 6 is an excellent, high-quality racing game that finally gives players the chance to explore Japan with their favorite cars. Playground Games crafted an amazing open world full of fun content and exciting gameplay, all of which is backed by a stellar soundtrack and incredible direction on sound design. Forza Horizon 6 is a reminder that open-world racing games are still capable of greatness.
STARBITES is a new sci-fi turn-based RPG that puts players in the shoes of Lukida, a young salvager wanting to make her dream of exploring the cosmos a reality. Players are treated to a fun turn-based combat system with some unique twists, a compelling story with an emotive cast of characters, and worldbuilding that makes players want to learn more about the setting of Bitter. The performance drawbacks on Switch and the repetitive overworld exploration hold STARBITES back from its full potential, however.
The Nintendo Switch 2 version of Warframe gives Nintendo fans an optimized and smooth upgrade to one of the best sci-fi shooters available today. Although you won't be spending too much time playing Warframe on Switch 2's short battery life, it offers a mostly steady 60 FPS experience with crisp visuals. Warframe is full of action and content for free, and those who get hooked can spend hundreds of hours locked in with their Warframes.
Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta renews the original Ys: Memories in Celceta for Nintendo Switch, allowing fans to experience one of the best entry points in the franchise. The renewed port brings a newly recorded soundtrack that Falcom and RPG fans will surely enjoy while giving players an option to play the original soundtrack whenever they wish. Although there's no new voice-acting, Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta retains the original game's great story, gameplay, characters, and content in one package that can be taken and enjoyed on the go once more.
Yunyun Syndrome!? Rhythm Psychosis is a great rhythm game with a robust soundtrack of indie Japanese artists and composers and a story that lets players revel in the unsettling undertones of the denpa subgenre. With multiple difficulty options, several unlockable tracks, and a story that stars a hikikomori and a strange character she's grown to love, Yunyun Syndrome!? Rhythm Psychosis is unlike any other rhythm game yet.
Etrange Overlord is a "sushi lane musical action adventure" game full of comedy and anime tropes that captivates anime watchers and gamers alike. The game takes some cues from the tower-defense genre to make for a compelling combat system, and despite some gameplay setbacks, Etrange Overlord manages to keep you hooked with its colorful cast of characters and an engaging story.
Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 as a fantastic port that feels right at home on the platform. With all previously released DLC and over 150 Creation Club items included, Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition is rich in engaging content for RPG and FPS fans. Despite the muddy visuals in the Switch 2 version's 60 FPS mode, Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition is a standout port that shows Bethesda is listening and acting on feedback.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is a remake and new side story that both improves and subtracts from the original Yakuza 3, making it a mixed bag of a title for those who wanted a definitive and improved version of the PS3 game. Although the new content additions and improved combat system bring joy, the game's new ending may sour fans who've been following the Yakuza series. The missing substories from the original leave a hole where the new content tries to fill, but it doesn't completely patch up what's sorely missed.
The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince is a short and wholesome 2D puzzle-platforming adventure game that puts players in the shoes of a wolf-turned-princess who wants to right the wrongs for a prince she accidentally blinded. This title's gameplay is simplistic, but it makes way for a beautiful storybook aesthetic and story that will uplift anyone's spirit.
WiZmans World Re;Try is a really good remaster of the 2010 Jaleco-developed RPG with quality of life changes and features for modern consoles and PC. The game's turn-based combat system and intriguing story are clear highlights, but the lack of voice acting and auto saves make the remaster feel just a cut below being great. Despite that, RPG fans will have a really fun time, thanks to the balance between fun turn-based gameplay and tough challenges with its daunting boss fights.
Gear.Club Unlimited 3 is a great racing game that takes advantage of the Switch 2 hardware to deliver a compelling, immersive, and satisfying experience with smooth gameplay. With a roster of more than 40 car models with 50 tracks across France and Japan, Gear.Club Unlimited 3 gives racing game fans a lot to play with in its content-rich story mode. Although there are a few graphical issues and some missing fan-favorite cars, the game is a great foundation for developer Eden Games to build off of.
Ys X: Proud Nordics is the definitive version of the 2024 action RPG with new story and side content, improved gameplay and features, and amazing performance on Nintendo Switch 2. The lack of an upgrade path from Ys X: Nordics and the need to replay story content limits some of the game's potential, but Ys and action RPG fans are in for a treat nonetheless.
BlazBlue Entropy Effect X is a great roguelite action game that pays homage to the BlazBlue series while delivering an intriguing storyline, engaging mechanics, and a fair level of challenge. The updated release builds on the foundation of BlazBlue Entropy Effect and brings new features that will keep players playing after the original storyline. Although cross-play and an English dub are missing, BlazBlue Entropy Effect X is an experience that BlazBlue fans won't want to miss.
4PGP is an excellent racing game inspired by classic arcade racers of the 1990s. With a seasoned team of racing game developers, including Ridge Racer developer Kenji Sasaki and Sega Rally composer Tomoyuki Kawamura, 4PGP manages to impress with its blistering sense of speed, precise gameplay mechanics, and arcade-style sound design. Although it is limited when it comes to online multiplayer, there are more than enough tracks and F1-inspired machines to keep players engaged in a party of friends.
The Rumble Fish 2 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is a great and affordable port of a stylish and fun fighting game that's easy to learn but hard to master. The quality of life features make this one of the most definitive versions of The Rumble Fish 2, and the crisp visuals and performance ensure no frame is dropped online or offline. The inclusion of rollback netcode, match and control scheme options, and Assist Mode make The Rumble Fish 2 a fun fighting game to jump right into and play on Switch 2.
Dark Auction is a great mystery adventure game just short of being amazing. The story is captivating and explores trauma with a compelling cast of characters and a story full of intrigue and deception. The soundtrack by composers Yuko Komiyama and Tsukasa Masuko is ear-pleasing, and the illustrations by Kohske are expressive and beautiful. The game's inexpressive character models and uncanny images clash with the overall presentation, but there's still a lot of good going for this game.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition comes to Nintendo Switch 2 with better performance and visuals befitting of an upgrade, but the performance isn't exactly up to par in all scenarios. There's a lack of 60 FPS support outside dungeons, and the upgrade path for physical owners of Skyrim can be cumbersome. Despite these setbacks, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition is still fun and feels really good to play.
Trails beyond the Horizon is a modern-day masterpiece of an RPG that elevates the Trails franchise thematically with its story and structurally with its superb gameplay. The time investment pays off with many big reveals and lore drops that fans have been waiting for, along with unexpected ones. With a slew of quality-of-life improvements, meaningful new gameplay features, and a memorable and emotional story, Trails beyond the Horizon is a cut above many RPGs in the industry.