Given the high standard of gameplay that Inti Creates has shown in many other titles it's released over the last several years, it's hard not to be disappointed by Dragon: Marked for Death.
As far as strategy games are concerned on the Switch, Wargroove is one of the best titles you can find on the eShop. Extremely deep and diverse strategy gameplay, ridiculous amounts of replayability, and charming presentation all combine to make this one an easy recommendation to anybody looking for a deep and cerebral experience for their Switch.
Caveblazers doesn't do enough wrong to be disappointing, but it doesn't do enough right to be exceptional, meaning that it occupies that awkward space in the middle. The utterly unremarkable visual style and simplistic combat is offset by a surprisingly deep well of unlockables and well-paced progression systems; this is a roguelike that checks all the right boxes, but never becomes more than the sum of its parts. If you enjoyed Risk of Rain or Dead Cells, Caveblazers is a decent recommendation, but also understand that there are far more memorable titles to be found on the eShop.
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey stands as a well-made remake of a game that was excellent to begin with, polishing up the original in small ways and adding some extra content that meaningfully establishes its own identity. If you've ever been a fan of the Mario & Luigi series (or are looking for a reason to dust off the old 3DS), do yourself a favour and pick this game up. Although Bowser Jr.'s Journey is just an ‘okay' addition, the inventive battles, great writing and creative gameplay of the main game make this one an easy recommendation.
We'd be lying if we said that Double Cross wasn't disappointing; after the raucously enjoyable platforming offered up by Runbow, this is an underwhelming follow up that never manages to hit the same highs. Though Double Cross has an interesting premise and some exceptionally well-designed levels, it's weighed down by a series of ho-hum gameplay elements that aren't adequately fleshed out and give the overall experience something of an identity crisis.
Donut County will no doubt prove to be a divisive experience, but those that are looking for a relaxing and often funny puzzle game will find an enjoyable experience that has just enough charm to justify its existence. With that being said, this is hardly a game that feels like it justifies the relatively high price tag; three hours max of content is a tough pill to swallow regardless of how enamored you are with the concept at its core. We'd recommend you wait for a sale or put some gold points towards this one; it's a cool experience that you'll definitely want to check out, but know that you're not missing much if you choose to skip it.
On an eShop that seems to become more rife with Metroidvanias by the day, Sundered seems to fall somewhere in the middle to front of the pack. Though the repetitiveness means it doesn't hit the same kind of highs that Dead Cells or Hollow Knight reach, Sundered still manages to offer a delightfully creepy, challenging, and content-rich experience that genre fans are sure to enjoy. If you're not a fan of procedural generation, stay well away from this one; otherwise, we'd encourage you to give it a shot.
There isn't any other game on the eShop quite like Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP, which is both a good and bad thing.
Toast Time is the kind of game that feels like it could've been something truly special if it spent a little more time in the oven; the core gameplay of toast blasting madness is fantastic fun, but the sparse offering of content makes this a game that doesn't take too long to chew through.
Abzû is certainly a standout release on the eShop, offering up an experience that breaks from the norm of goal-based gaming in favour of something that's more focused on simply existing in a world and enjoying all its little intricacies. Those of you who appreciate casual adventures like taking a walk in a forest will be sure to enjoy what Abzû has to offer, as the dreamlike visuals, entrancing orchestral score and deliberately sedate pace do a fantastic job of drawing the player into this alien world. We'd give Abzû a high recommendation to anybody looking for something a little more gentle for their Switch; it's not a game about winning, but about the journey (no pun intended) you take getting there.
Nidhogg 2 is a prime example of how simplicity isn't always a bad thing; this is a deliciously compelling couch multiplayer experience that's both approachable and in-depth, potentially leading to dozens of hours of fun. The weak single-player offering and online lag are certainly low points, but the trippy visuals, chill soundtrack and frantic gameplay all combine to make this a recommendation for those of you looking for another great title for playing with friends; solo combatants may wish to exercise some caution, however.
Though a bit uninspired, Brawlhalla still stands as a solid example of how to do a proper platform fighter, with several game modes, a diverse cast and a beautiful art style making this one easy to recommend. Perhaps best of all, it's totally free, so you really don't have anything to lose by giving it a try. At worst, you'll find a Smash clone that doesn't have a ton of new ideas; at best, you'll find a new go-to for when you have a few friends over for a gaming session.
World of Final Fantasy Maxima acts as a wonderful celebration of the Final Fantasy series that will surely appeal to fans both new and old. Though the difficulty is a little on the easy side, the story is uninspired and the visuals are disappointingly blurry, the Mirage-catching mechanics and well-crafted RPG systems make this one a good recommendation. If you loved the Final Fantasy games of days past, you're sure to love this one, and if you're new to the series or the JRPG genre in better, this is a great place to jump in; just don't expect anything too demanding.
Full Metal Furies proves that Cellar Door Games is an impressively talented studio capable of producing quality games that can set new standards in some ways. We wish more developers would invest such considerable effort into this sort of puzzle design in action games, and coupling that with the deep RPG systems, punchy gameplay and memorable writing makes for an experience that no Switch owner will want to be without. Cellar Door Games has outdone itself with Full Metal Furies and we can't recommend this release enough; put in the time, and you'll find this is much more than just another beat ‘em up.
Rogue Legacy is a simple take on the tried-and-true roguelike formula, but it executes what it sets out to do exceptionally well, making for an endlessly replayable and enjoyable action adventure that no fan of the genre will want to miss out on. A high difficulty level, funny writing, tight controls and rewarding RPG mechanics make this one an effortless recommendation; the design of the game makes it easy to play in short bursts or long sessions, which means it's a great fit for the Switch. If you enjoyed Dead Cells, Castlevania, or any 2D sidescroller in that style, you're almost certain to have a blast with this one.
There are far worse games out there than Nickelodeon Kart Racers, but there are far better ones as well. Given the tremendous opportunity represented by this IP, it's hard not to be disappointed by the state of Nickelodeon Kart Racers; with more attention to quality and another year of development, this could've possibly been a compelling alternative to Mario Kart. Unfortunately, Nickelodeon Kart Racers is simply not good; derivative mechanics, a pathetic character roster and awful performance make this a bargain bin experience that you'll be glad you missed. If you absolutely have to play a racing game with Nickelodeon characters, then by all means, go ahead, but we'd highly recommend you take a pass on this sorry effort.
Supergiant Games outdid itself with Transistor, providing an engaging ARPG experience that managed to improve upon its predecessor in many ways while adding in distinct new elements that help to define its identity. It's another welcome addition to the Switch library, and is the epitome of a modern RPG classic, with its fusion of cyberpunk elements, unconventional storytelling, and dynamic gameplay make for a game that you won't want to miss out on. We'd give Transistor a high recommendation to anybody looking for another great RPG for their Switch, or for someone who just wants to hear a good story.
As a ten-year-old game, Valkyria Chronicles still holds up impressively well; this is some of the best strategy action that gaming has to offer and having it available on the go is an enormous plus. Although there are some minor balancing and performance issues, Valkyria Chronicles offers up an emotionally-gripping, beautiful and fun strategy experience that offers a considerable amount of value for the price of admission. We'd give this one a high recommendation to anybody looking for a quality strategy RPG for their Switch; it may be marginally rougher than Valkyria Chronicles 4, but you really can't go wrong here.
Super Hyperactive Ninja is a great example of what happens when good concepts meet bad implementation; the coffee theme and Hyperactive Mode are both interesting things that could have potential if explored properly, but Super Hyperactive Ninja doesn't do so. Cheap level design, uninspired visuals, and poor controls make this a game that's difficult to recommend, but moments of enjoyable gameplay can still be found for those who look hard enough. Even so, there's no shortage of excellent platformers on the eShop at the moment, so you'd be best served passing on this one. If you're looking for a challenging, retro-inspired side scrolling ninja game, go play The Messenger instead.
Tricky Towers offers up a cool twist on a puzzle classic, and the focus on multiplayer battling makes this an ideal game for showing off the Switch's unique capability for multiplayer gaming on the go. Everybody knows how to play Tetris, and Tricky Towers does just enough to build on that core concept to make the game interesting and weird enough to be quite memorable. Although the single player offerings are a bit on the slim side, we enjoyed our time with Tricky Towers and would highly recommend it for anybody looking for a good couch multiplayer or puzzle game.