Donkey Kong Country Returns HD offers a fairly straightforward update of the original game: it is simply in HD. That means that all of its best platforming goodness is untouched, but it also means that some of the more frustrating aspects of the game remain as present as before. In that sense, the update is perhaps bare-bones.
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While the world and story of Echoes of Wisdom are a lot like what you're used to seeing when playing as Link, Zelda's distinct abilities make for a fairly different experience. Selecting an Echo is clunky at times, but each can be used creatively as a solution to a myriad of clever puzzles. Performance leaves something to be desired, but the princess' first outing as protagonist is a strong one.
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While it is not quite on the level of Luigi’s Mansion 3, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD offers a fine visual update to a 3DS classic. Unfortunately, unlike other recent Nintendo remasters, this new version does nothing to alleviate the annoyances of the original game, such as E. Gadd’s all too frequent calls. Ultimately, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD makes for an okay addition to the Switch-library, but it can’t be called essential.
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Obsidian's Pentiment is not for everyone, but this RPG does offer a fascinating look at the religious and political unrest of the early sixteenth century. Thanks to a variety of backgrounds and a time limit that doesn't allow you to pursue every plot thread in one playthrough, the game also offers good replayability. Unfortunately, it also somewhat overstays its welcome when the last hours repeat a lot of what you already know. The Switch port isn't flawless, but will suit you just fine if this is your platform of choice.
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Another Code: Recollection greatly expands on and alters the content of the original titles, even when it doesn't strictly need to. This applies to story details as well. Most or all changes are improvments, but some existing fans may understandably prefer the older versions. Thanks to entirely new puzzles the game occassionally feels brand new and rather unike a remake. New visuals and voice acting make these games a richer experience than ever, something that the occassional ugly foliage doesn't hamper.
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Super Mario Bros. Wonder has its shortcomings. A traditional lives-system has no reason to exist in 2023 and the game's difficulty seems less balanced in optional content versus the main adventure. But the core of the game is a delight! The foundations of Mario are rock-solid as ever, while the new Wonder Flower and its many surprising effects keep the game from getting stale. Add perhaps the best co-op Mario has ever had, and you're left with a wonderful new entry in the Super Mario Bros. series.
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The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom quickly does away with worries that Breath of the Wild's Hyrule won't be as fun to explore a second time. Sky Islands, changes to the landscape and much more make this journey every bit as exciting as the previous adventure. Criticisms of Breath of the Wild have been taken to heart where possible, leading to unique dungeons, among other things. Small performance blemishes and occasionally annoying companion AI can't stop this game from being absolutely essential.
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A classic returns in Metroid Prime Remastered. A complete visual overhaul makes the world of the game look better and more detailed than ever before. A new dual-stick control scheme makes the game approachable and palatable for new players, while veterans can opt for controls that mimic the original. Underneath it all, though, the masterpiece that is Metroid Prime Remains unchanged. Some more quality of life improvements could perhaps have been made, but it is a tiny complaint for a near-perfect remaster.
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Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle could perhaps be seen as a weird experiment that owed its success to good release timing. The sequel, Sparks of Hope, proves that view incorrect. The foundations of this strategy RPG remain strong as ever, while several gameplay changes, such as free movement during battle, provide countless new ways to strategise. You may unfortunately forget about some heroes, but it is a small price to pay for a such a solid strategy experience. (That also looks gorgeous!)
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Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is a fairly solid game. Mechanics from Fire Emblem: Three Houses integrate well with the traditional Warriors-gameplay, and the characters and setting of Fódlan remain interesting even three years after the release of Three Houses. Sadly, the gameplay can get tiresome, as you are always either fighting, or making your troops better prepared for battle. Even though there is a lot of content to discover, we frequently found ourselves wanting to put the game down for a while.
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Pokémon Legends: Arceus may often look bad, but its gameplay is excellent. The mechanics of finding and catching Pokémon feel good and bring a sense of discovery to the game. Changes in the battle system make for more engaging and strategic fights. Some repetitive bosses and a fairly standard story can't drag down how fun it is to play this new kind of Pokémon game.
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The way Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars presents itself is by far one of the strongest points of the game. A video game that pretends to be a table top game is a nice change and occasionally stimulates the imagination. For that reason alone, the game is worth playing.
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Besides the obvious visual improvements, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD offers a clearly enhanced experience compared to the original Wii title. First and foremost the button controls offer a near-perfect alternative to the formerly mandatory motion controls, making the game more accessible. Beyond that, many of the original's hand-holding has been removed, leading to fewer gameplay interruptions. The game still has other flaws, but the HD version does a lot to bring out the good of the game.
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Good Job is certainly not a bad game, despite occasionally clunky controls. Unfortunately, unless you're a completionist, there is little replay value outside of co-op. Considering the game is quite short anyway, its price point may become an issue for those intending to play by themselves.
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