Kirby’s Return to Dreamland Deluxe doesn’t redefine the series like Kirby & the Forgotten World, but it’s a welcome addition to the Switch library. This feast of content for players of all stripes continues the pink puffball’s reign as Nintendo’s King of Co-Op.
Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is more than a love letter to Final Fantasy and its esteemed soundtracks—it’s a robust hybrid of RPG elements and rhythm gameplay, bolstered by accessibility options and a mountain of content, building on its 3DS forefathers in every way.
Forspoken feels like a breath of fresh air for open-world adventures with its stylish engine, but is held back by pacing and other foibles.
The Nintendo Switch and Persona 4 Golden were made for each other. This classic stands the test of time and thrives with a modest, affordable remaster.
Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII Reunion releases a cult classic from its outdated prison and revives it like a Phoenix Down. If you’ve ever played a Final Fantasy VII title, this is an essential experience.
Harvestella is a fresh take on life-sims that wears many different hats well, but doesn’t always know when to wear them.
Tactics Ogre: Reborn is a pilgrimage for strategy RPG enthusiasts, an outstanding update for a watershed moment in the genre.
Star Ocean: The Divine Force is a solid JRPG that straddles two worlds in more ways than one, resulting in a worthwhile yet middling adventure with decent replay potential.
Jackbox Party Pack Vol. 9 returns the series to form with an overall great selection of new games, and further refinement of the core software settings.
Shootas, Blood & Teef is a refreshingly off-brand run-and-gun experience for Warhammer 40, 000, though your mileage may vary depending on your tolerance for the Orks’ shenanigans.
Dragons: Legends of the Nine Realms isn’t much to write home about, but it offers young fans a slightly more substantial experience than most of its mobile peers without overwhelming them.
Valkyrie Elysium brings new life to a lapsed series via a commendable action-RPG engine.
While its gameplay is somewhat linear and hard to nail down, RPG Time: The Legend of Wright is a masterpiece of presentation that celebrates the joys of a child’s imagination.
Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny is simultaneously cliche and transgressive, offering refreshing takes on genre conventions while still reliant on them. Its expanded gameplay systems can be mind-numbing to newcomers, but longtime franchise fans will find an unrivaled buffet of content to grind through.
With a dash more depth to its gameplay, and a lighter touch to its narrative, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga reinterprets the nine-film epic into a solid experience that all generations of fans will want to revisit.
Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin is an enjoyable experiment in melding Soulslike conventions onto a Final Fantasy skeleton. However it undercuts itself by not daring for more complexity, setting up great narrative and gameplay turns that never come to pass.
Chocobo GP does some things that Nintendon’t, offering a Story mode and a more stimulating item system than the untouchable Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. However only Final Fantasy veterans (and their kids) need apply, as it relies heavily on nostalgia—and season pass grinding.
Destiny 2: The Witch Queen represents the highest peak the franchise has seen in years, if not ever. Held back by some grindiness and nigh-inpenetrable plot gates, it’s one of the smoothest FPS experiences available today, thanks to its best story yet and a host of gameplay adjustments.
Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster is emblematic of the whole Pixel Remaster line: an accessibly modern yet aesthetically authentic re-release of an essential RPG.
King of Fighters XV set out to “shatter all expectations” and met most of them instead. While a slightly hollow presentation sets its crown crooked, the game’s core is a solid engine and a diverse roster that will warrant longterm play.