Donkey Kong Bananza successfully transitions the franchise into 3D with impressive scope and satisfying destruction mechanics. The open-sandbox design encourages exploration, while intuitive controls and collectibles keep players engaged. However, it suffers from performance issues in docked mode, simplistic difficulty, and a forgettable story. Despite these shortcomings, Nintendo delivers a polished launch title that captures the joy of destruction and expands the series' potential.
No Sleep For Kaname Date delivers a clever, puzzle-heavy spin-off brimming with Uchikoshi’s signature weirdness—though its story feels more like fan service than a meaningful expansion. While the escape room segments and adjustable difficulty shine, the disjointed pacing and thin character arcs leave it stuck between prequel filler and standalone charm.
Pac-Man meets Metroidvania in this bizarre yet bold experiment. Shadow Labyrinth mixes arcade nostalgia with punishing Souls-like mechanics, but uneven controls and a harsh checkpoint system take away from the experience. While its Pac-Man-themed platforming shows moments of creativity, the shallow world design and clunky combat make it feel more like a curiosity than a must-play.
Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut remains a masterclass in crime drama storytelling, now polished to 4K/60fps glory on Switch 2, but its 'exclusive' new content feels underwhelming. While the added cutscenes and experimental multiplayer barely justify the 'Director’s Cut' label, this is still the definitive way to experience one of gaming’s greatest prequels. A must-play for newcomers, yet hard to recommend for returning fans unless portability trumps all.
Tamagotchi Plaza offers harmless, kid-friendly minigames wrapped in colorful nostalgia, but its repetitive gameplay and shallow progression make it feel more like a tech demo than a complete game. Younger fans may enjoy the charming characters and simple shopkeeping, but the Switch 2’s motion-controlled features do little to elevate this thin package. Cute, but ultimately forgettable.
Mario Kart World is a remarkable achievement and the most ambitious installment in the series. It features stunning visuals at 4K resolution and 60 frames per second, along with exciting 24-player races and a charming, albeit somewhat shallow, open world. The new free-roam mode and kart customization options are enjoyable, but the repetitive side content and the surprising lack of a proper story mode prevent it from reaching perfection. While it is a multiplayer gem for Switch 2 owners, solo players may find themselves wanting a deeper progression system beyond its beautiful and content-rich appearance.
A love letter to fighting game obscurities, delivering cult classics with modern polish. While the absence of Rival Schools stings and Capcom Fighting Evolution remains forgettable, the stellar online-ready Capcom vs. SNK duo and chaotic Power Stone revival make this a must-buy for genre devotees. Not every gem here shines equally, but the rollback netcode and wealth of extras elevate it beyond mere nostalgia bait.
A precision-platformer gem that dazzles with its inventive teleportation mechanics and striking biomechanical aesthetic. While its visual opaqueness occasionally frustrates, the razor-sharp level design and momentum-driven gameplay make it a must-play for fans of the genre—even if it doesn’t quite reach the narrative heights of its Limbo-esque inspirations.
A triumphant return for Fatal Fury, blending razor-sharp combat with deep mechanics—but held back by baffling guest characters and sparse single-player content. The Rev and S.P.G. systems add thrilling strategic layers, while the netcode delivers silky online play. Yet, the lack of robust tutorials, unbalanced newcomers (looking at you, Ronaldo), and a barebones story mode keep it from greatness.
A loving tribute to JRPG nostalgia, the Lunar Remastered Collection revitalizes two classics with crisp visuals and smart quality-of-life tweaks. While its turn-based combat feels dated and the PC port lacks polish, the enduring charm of its storytelling and preserved animated cutscenes make this a must-play for retro enthusiasts.
SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered revitalizes a cult classic with stunning visual preservation and crucial quality-of-life upgrades. While its uneven gameplay systems show their age, the game's breathtaking watercolor aesthetic and ambitious dual-narrative structure remain uniquely captivating.
Expelled! is a brilliantly crafted mystery with a clever time-loop mechanic and razor-sharp writing. While its replay-driven structure may test some players' patience, the game rewards persistence with surprising depth and multiple compelling endings. A standout narrative experience that turns schoolyard drama into an unforgettable whodunit.
Assassin's Creed Shadows delivers a visually stunning and technically polished experience, with improved stealth and combat mechanics. However, its uneven narrative, repetitive side content, and lack of meaningful NPC interactions hold it back.
Two Point Museum delivers a charming and addictive simulation experience, blending quirky humor with deep management mechanics. While it occasionally feels repetitive, the addition of expeditions and diverse museum themes keeps the gameplay fresh.
Split Fiction is a co-op masterpiece, blending inventive gameplay, emotional storytelling, and stunning visuals. While its dialogue occasionally stumbles, the game’s relentless creativity and seamless teamwork mechanics make it a must-play for fans of cooperative adventures.
Rise of the Ronin delivers a visually striking and mechanically solid action-adventure experience, but its repetitive side content and unremarkable story hold it back. While the PC port offers technical improvements, performance issues and underwhelming visual upgrades dampen its potential.
Urban Myth Dissolution Center offers a visually striking and intriguing mystery-solving experience with its nostalgic pixel art and modern twists. While the gameplay loop is engaging and the social media integration adds a fresh layer, the slow pacing, underdeveloped characters, and inconsistent case quality hold it back.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD swings back into action, capturing the charm of its predecessors while introducing new difficulty modes and quality-of-life features. Though it loses some of the 3DS version's 3D magic, the jump to HD brings noticeable visual improvements. The game remains a classic platformer with rewarding collectibles and solid performance, despite longer load times. While its pricing as a full-priced game is steep, it offers enjoyable gameplay and nostalgia for fans of the series.
A swashbuckling spin-off that delivers the charm and chaos of the Like a Dragon series, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii shines with its action-packed combat, quirky side content, and Majima’s magnetic presence.
A solid but uneven return for a classic fighter, Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. shines with its deep, technical gameplay and excellent rollback netcode but falters with stripped-down content and a lackluster tutorial. While its 3D combat remains engaging, the absence of single-player modes and controversial customization cuts leave fans wanting more. A promising yet flawed revival.