Switchaboo
HomepageSwitchaboo's Reviews
Spindle is a fun action RPG, which will keep you entertained for a weekend or a few days. The story is refreshing and meaningful, which ultimately elevates it above being labelled as ‘just another Zelda-like’.
If you're a Pokémon fan, you're probably already playing Legends: Z-A, but if you're not, I can't help but recommend jumping in now, even if you're only able to play on the Switch. You've just got to get through the slow start and keep yourself entertained without voice acting. The best Pokémon game in recent years and hopefully a sign of overall improvements in the years to come.
Already a stone-cold classic of the genre, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is now the definitive version of Final Fantasy Tactics. The quality of life improvements and modernisations make it accessible for modern-day newcomers while not compromising the deep, tactical gameplay the series is known for. A loving and reverential remaster, fans of the original won’t find much new, but it’s better to play than ever.
A genuinely strong competitor in the party game genre, LEGO Party! has made a splash for players to cause chaos together. While there are a few things that could be worked on, like more content and slightly turning down the chance aspects, there was a fun night spent collecting golden bricks and building on the worlds. Grab some friends and family, customise your minifig, and strap in because you’ll end the night with a smile on your face.
While I did enjoy my time with BALL x PIT, I honestly don’t think I’ll be revisiting it anytime soon. It's a cool idea executed well, but with the vast amount of games in the roguelike genre, it doesn’t do enough to make itself stand out amongst the crowd.
I won’t lie, when Nicktoons & the Dice of Destiny was first announced, I didn’t expect much from it. While there are things here I think were done well, ultimately the game falls flat and is pretty unremarkable. Nicktoons & the Dice of Destiny may not have rolled a Nat 1 but its proficiency score wasn’t high enough to pass the Difficulty Check. That may be the nerdiest thing I’ve ever written…
God, this game is awesome. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance felt like the dream mixture of a Devil May Cry game with a beloved Saturday morning cartoon’s theatrical movie. The story and characters are so over the top, covering ninjas, private armies, yokai, death itself and all sorts of crazy shenanigans and ... it just gets the blood pumping! It’s not perfect, but it’s awesome. In some ways I feel like it could have been ambitious enough for an even higher score – a little more time given to the story and characters in between the incredible gameplay may have pushed it further, but it didn’t truly have to. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is as awesome as kids in the 90s thought ninjas were, and more. Sega may be old, but between this and Crosswords… they proved that they still got it!
If you and a friend are Little Nightmares fans, then this entry will revolutionise your world. The co-op mode is superb and it fits into the series like a glove. However, if you’re likely to be playing this single player, then perhaps basking in the first two games is a better way to spend your time. That being said, Little Nightmares remains the best in the business at what it does, and its hardcore fans will be rewarded regardless.
It's Super Mario Galaxy 1+2 with more; how can you not sing its praises to the stars above? Sure, the price tag hurts and not all control methods are optimal, but it's Super Mario Galaxy 1+2! These games are museum-worthy and will likely go down in history as some of the greatest games ever made, so there's no way I could give this collection any less than a perfect 10.
Strange Antiquities will delight fans of puzzles and dark, cosy games alike. The puzzles are challenging and varied, and you will certainly enjoy your time as shopkeeper. Some eventual repetition and lack of agency on your part does, however, mean it is probably best enjoyed in bite-sized sessions.
I’m not going to lie, being able to just rush to the end did irk me a bit but Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac plays so well that I kept playing just for the fun of it. I can really see why this is considered a fan favourite. If you’ve never played the original, I suggest giving this a shot, especially if you’re a fan of collectathons because, boy, does this game put all of its eggs in one basket.
I could gush about Sonic Racing: Crossworlds for hours; heck, this review was originally six pages long! This game is truly something special, not just for Sonic fans but for fans of kart racing as a whole. Of course people are going to ask me, “Is this better than Mario Kart World?” And if you are one of those people that is reading this review just for that, then let me make it clear: Sonic Racing: Crossworlds blows Mario Kart World out of the water. It is night and day; Sonic finally beat Mario at his own game. While Mario Kart may have fumbled slightly trying to reinvent the wheel, Sonic Racing: Crossworlds understood what they wanted to do: they wanted to take everything fans love about Sonic, stick it in a car and polish it to a mirror shine.
Honestly, I feel like I'm nitpicking details with my negatives, because I genuinely found myself having so much fun exploring and living life in Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar! The Story of Seasons franchise is an icon in the genre for a reason and you can absolutely see why it is beloved here, respecting the past release while modernising the title for a vastly expanded audience. Anyone who is a fan of cosy games that you can take at your own pace and play your own way, this is a must-buy for you.
Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion while fun, exploring around can feel very clunky to control with movement, melee hit ranges, and overall imprecise with aiming reticles. The story is serviceable, but the overall feel of running around in a powered mech suit fighting beasts, constructs, and other mech pilots is the real draw to this genre. If you're a diehard mecha fan, I can definitely recommend picking it up in the early stages; otherwise, it might be worth waiting for a sale if you're on the fence.
The best thing about Kirby and the Forgotten Land - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World is that it’s just more Kirby and the Forgotten Land. It has everything that made the main game great, just in a smaller package. They’ve tweaked the levels and the music to make it seem familiar, yet foreign. Aside from a few small problems – well, one small problem and one big problem – it would be a 10/10 game for me. Really, I’m just glad that they kept the heart and soul of the main game and managed to make the perfect farewell for the fans.
A delightful, if short and simple, adventure, you will not regret your time with the calicorns. Unfortunately, the graphics on the Switch can't quite match the majesty of the soundtrack, so you may be better placed playing Herdling elsewhere.
I have never had a bad time playing a Shantae game, and I am happy to report I did not start with this one. In a world of ever more complex games that leaves behind some of my favourite classics like Mega Man, Shantae always delivers the great platforming fun that I love. To me, Shantae games have become synonymous with fun, rock-solid platforming goodness. WayForward has never disappointed me, as even the worst Shantae game is still solid, with a respectable baseline of expectations, and I will always be looking forward to another adventure of my favourite half-genie.
Drag X Drive is fun enough to play for a 30-minute burst but ultimately lacks depth in its gameplay and content. It’s an excellent advert for the Switch 2’s Joy-Cons and also for game chat if you can round up the friends, but it is unlikely to become the go-to online multiplayer experience. While it should be applauded for trying something different, this feels destined to be remembered as ‘one of those Nintendo things’ when we look back at the Switch 2.
Boy, oh boy, Indiesruption has done it again! Vlad Circus: Curse of Asmodeus is an absolute masterpiece and I cannot sing its praises enough. The tension of each passing moment, the visceral grotesque presentation of its darker moments, and the themes of desperation and despair all culminate into a game that'll keep you hooked from beginning to end. For any fans of horror and/or point-and-click adventures, simply do not sleep on this one; or better yet, play all three of Indiesruption's titles—you will not be disappointed!
Indie games have come such a long way since 2008 and it's wonderful to look back at an early pioneer of the space and marvel at what it managed to achieve. Even after everything that has come since, I can still play OFF and enjoy a zany, often unsettling, game front to back, and its short runtime of approximately 4-5 hours means it doesn't overstay its welcome. For anyone looking to jump in for the first time blind like I did, you'll easily be able to appreciate what kind of an impact it had on the indie game scene's trajectory, paving the way for the likes of Undertale, OMORI and many other minimalist RPGs. But as a game to enjoy in a vacuum in 2025, it may leave a little to be desired.