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It hurts me to give a Yakuza game a “mid” score but it truly feels like they missed the mark with this one. It seems that the studio has a new vision for what the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series will be going forward, with smaller games that have deeper gameplay. I think that’s a fine idea, but Kiwami 3 shouldn’t have been the place to begin that philosophy. In this case, less was most definitely not more, though it’s potentially fixable if they just put things back in. That said, the narrative changes feel as though this remake bodes potentially bad portents for the remaining games in the Yakuza series as they address the newly created plot holes. I’ll be watching what Ryu Ga Gotoku does from this point with great interest and anxious anticipation.
While Baladins isn’t for me, I can see a lot of people who would adore this game. Baladins is a tabletop RPG for people who love Animal Crossing or Stardew Valley; it's a game meant to be played with your friends and relax too and I truly commend it for that.
Mario Tennis Fever leans into chaotic, wacky multiplayer action rather than the core tennis gameplay its predecessors majored in. Is this a great Mario Sports game? Yes. Is this a great tennis game? Not really. But that's ok, as it’s still a good time in single player and, more importantly, long-term, online.
When playing PARANORMASIGHT: The Cursed Mermaid, I was constantly reminded of one of my favourite games on the Nintendo DS, Another Code. This is high praise because it was one of my favourite games on the DS. Paronormasight feels like a lost art that has been rediscovered, where everything has come together into an almost perfect game. So if you’ve been looking for this style of game that combines folklore, history and a good chunk of mystery, PARANORMASIGHT is here to deliver.
Dragon Quest VII was always thought to be a very interesting choice to be remade in 2026, considering it recently got the treatment on Nintendo 3DS 10 years prior. While I’m personally glad it did, seeing how I lost my 3DS copy all those years back and finally got to finish it, it also seems like a strange decision considering there are other entries that are currently more deserving. But nonetheless, Square Enix have done a fantastic job with it and have fixed (as much as they could) many annoyances the original and the 3DS remakes were heavily criticised for. This is, by far, the definitive version of Dragon Quest VII.
Skate Bums reminds me of old Flash games you’d play in the early 2000s while at school; it’s simple and charming yet not all that deep or engaging, but you didn’t care because at least you weren’t doing schoolwork.
I truly think that the Switch is the perfect home for Cozy Caravan. It’s easy to pick it up, do a few things or complete a day and then put it down. There may be a few issues, but I enjoyed my time with it. Some people did complain about the stop-motion animation making them sick, but the developers have added an accessibility option to turn it off. There are also accessibility options for the hopscotch minigame, as some people had issues with that. Regardless of your age or ability, there’s something for everyone in this wholesome, adorable lesson presented as a game.
As far as collections go, the Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection is rather mid. From bog-standard, poorly tuned emulation in place of actual ports and all the problems that go with that, to a lack of style in the UI and menus, and low-quality presentation overall. If you have no other way of playing these titles, then it likely isn’t the absolute worst way you could play them, but the Mortal Kombat series’ reputation and, dare I say, legacy deserve better than this.
The French games industry is obviously on a high after Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and MIO: Memories in Orbit continues to carry the torch for our Gallic friends. MIO: Memories in Orbit is unlikely to win any awards for gameplay originality, but in 2026 it will take some beating on art direction and soundtrack. MIO: Memories in Orbit is a charming, ethereal journey that any adventure fan should embark upon.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on Nintendo Switch 2 gives me hope for future third-party releases on the system. While it understandably doesn’t hit the same high bar as the PS5 and Steam versions, the difference is leagues better than many high-fidelity ports that made their way to the original Nintendo Switch. At this stage, I’m very curious to see how the sequel Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will perform when it inevitably launches on Nintendo Switch 2.
If you’re thinking about jumping back in with the new update and will be playing in docked mode, the 4k graphics will make the upgrade pack worthwhile, and if you’re into the designing and decorating, the mouse controls will similarly be worth it. Ultimately Animal Crossing: New Horizons remains a great game, and while the Switch 2 edition adds some nice features, there’s nothing essential in it that will stop you from fully enjoying the base game without upgrading.
As far as ports go, Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader for the Switch 2 is fine in the grand scheme of things. It’s still a great game in itself and Owlcat have done some impressive stuff with getting a game like this onto the Switch 2. But that feat wasn’t perfect and whether it’s technical problems or friction caused by using a controller for a CRPG, there are issues. There aren’t so many issues that it’s functionally unplayable, however, and I can still recommend this on the basis that Rogue Trader is an excellent time; it just comes with caveats.
You know how I said that Wander Stars feels like an old anime? I mean it, with everything that it entails. How many of those have had pacing issues, weird storytelling decisions, and so on? These old shows aren’t perfect, but that comes with trying new things and eventually finding their footing, and above everything else, Wander Stars feels like a truly earnest story. It looks and feels like it was made with love, by people who had a lot of fun with it, imperfections and all, and I love that. Many old anime shows are imperfect products of their time, but the imperfections make them memorable in a whole new way. Wander Stars feels a bit like that to me. It’s not an incredible game, but I enjoyed my time with it as much as I did watching my favourite shows, filler episodes and all. I was very much engrossed in the adventure of Ringo, Wolfe, Canela and Ax across the stars and if there’s ever a sequel, I know I will be there, hoping to encounter those wandering stars once again.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is everything I hoped it would be; the introduction of Sol Valley is a brave and masterful touch, and the balletic combat and fun exploration are still front and centre in the experience. I really hope we don’t have to wait another 18 years for a masterpiece like this!
I mean, it’s a game about digging a hole in your backyard and selling rocks. It shouldn’t have as many technical issues as it does and could maybe use a little pizazz in the design department but I’ll give it this: It never claimed to be anything else. If you’ve got a few bucks left over from a gift card or just want something virtual and inoffensive to distract yourself for a while at the Christmas gathering, this will certainly fill those gaps.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment builds upon the previous Hyrule Warriors games and implements the Zonai devices in such an ingenious way. Exploring the story of how Ganondorf took over Hyrule before being imprisoned in the depths underneath was a perfect way to utilise the MUSOU genre. Although there is a grind that is inherent to the genre, it feels more noticeable here when the majority of the cast are throwaway additions. If you enjoy the Zelda franchise, this is an exciting take on the franchise and well worth your investment.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is a Final Flash to the past, sometimes to a fault. It's a game that presents itself well but once you get your hands on it, you quickly find a lot of things that will irk you. Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is very clearly a game built for its already existing fanbase; if you’re not a fan or someone with only a passing knowledge of the franchise like myself, then this may not be the game for you.
If my primary criticisms are nothing but lacklustre hub worlds and potential motion sickness that comes from standard performance one can expect for a Nintendo Switch 1 port, it goes to show how wonderful Viewfinder truly is. The primary selling point is so clear and apparent from the get-go, making Viewfinder a wonderfully charming and ingenious puzzle game for the ages.
Goodnight Universe is a masterclass in storytelling that had me gripped from start to finish. While you have plenty to do with your telekinetic powers, the core crux of the game is in its storytelling, being a prime example where the gameplay is simply a tool to move the story along. I generally tend to be one for gameplay over story, but when done right (like here, for example), it reaffirms why I love this medium of entertainment so much.
Kirby Air Riders attempts to scratch an itch that wasn’t much there in the first place. It’s technically sound and has that Sakurai auteurship that Super Smash Bros. and Kid Icarus: Uprising fans will be familiar with, but that spark doesn’t quite execute itself well enough here. If anything, a lot of it feels a bit shoehorned in. But is it fun? Yeah, absolutely! You’ll have a good time with Kirby Air Riders and with the amount of content here, you’ll be getting your money’s worth, that’s for sure!