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Minecraft Legends, at least on Switch, is an average game at very best, but frustrating controls, terrible AI, and repetitive gameplay all come together to make for something that feels substantially beneath the quality of the Minecraft brand. Though we commend the developers for trying something new here, this is easily the worst Minecraft spinoff Mojang has produced. We'd recommend this one to only the most enthusiastic of Minecraft fans, and even then, only if you opt for the PC version. If you don't have a PC or don't want it there, then we'd suggest you pass; Minecraft Legends on the Switch simply isn't worth your time or money.
JRPG fans can rest easy knowing that Trinity Trigger will meet their lofty expectations; this is a nostalgia trip worth taking. While not perfect, with beautiful art and music and a combat system that will feel both fresh and familiar, it is a strong contender for one of the best JRPGs of 2023 so far. The plot isn't anything to write home about and it's a tad on the easy side, but it remains engaging, especially for Mana series enthusiasts. Hopefully its proximity to the launch of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom doesn't see Trinity Trigger overshadowed before it gets a chance to shine.
Degica's work here is commendable. Not only is this the best of the series, but it's now the ultimate version out there. Castle of Shikigami 2 comes easily recommended to fans of bullet hell shooting games, and while it might not be up there with the very best, it's certainly original, deviously devised, and layered like crazy. With all the characters, their individual assets and stories, as well as all-new modes to toy with, this is how we like to see publishers handling re-releases of arcade titles, rather than slapping out another no-frills port-of a-port.
Tin Hearts is a lovely little puzzler that's engaging and emotional in equal measure. It takes all the right inspiration from Lemmings but manages to stand on its own two feet with a unique visual style, clever mechanics, and a wonderful narrative told effortlessly during gameplay. Technical hiccups pull it back from true greatness, including a choppy frame rate and jarring camera movements, but if you're after a relaxing puzzler that's not too taxing on the ol' noggin, then you really can't go too wrong with this.
If you can get past the bugs and performance issues at launch, The Mageseeker proves itself to be yet another strong addition to Riot's growing catalogue of intriguing spin-off games. Sylas's bittersweet quest supplies a compelling story that nicely complements the fast-paced combat and magic-stealing action, providing fans with an enjoyable action experience that fans of 2D action games will want to take note of. We'd give The Mageseeker a high recommendation to anyone looking for another good retro hack 'n' slash for their collection-this one is deeper than it may appear on the surface, and it stands up well next to peers such as Unsighted or Hyper Light Drifter.
Considering the overall quality, intriguing historical period settings, and stunning visual splendour throughout, it's disappointing that the emulation quality and certain pivotal features drop the ball. These deficiencies don't make these games unplayable. Quite the contrary, there are still countless hours of enjoyment for enthusiasts of these types of games. But it's a shame that titles like Demon Front haven't received that final lick of polish to make it a collection to be remembered. Yes, you can overlook the suspect slowdown and audio warble if you're not nitpicky, and, for the price, it still offers an incredibly good deal. Nonetheless, with more attention it could have been the best representation of IGS's back catalogue. As it stands, it falls short of that achievement. Fingers crossed for a patch.
Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp is a delightful reimagining of two classic GBA strategy titles. The gameplay here remains as endlessly addictive, finely balanced, and challenging as ever, and the addition of a handful of modern conveniences and the ability to play against friends online makes for a slick overall package. With a crisp, clean new art style that adds lots of new animations and cutscenes, a remastered soundtrack, and voice-acting in the mix, this is a polished return to Advance Wars action that's got us fully addicted to the series all over again. This is the sort of game you'll reserve a permanent space for on your console, a timeless experience you'll keep tucked away on your Switch for the foreseeable future.
These six remasters provide a superb way to experience or re-experience Final Fantasy history. Not all Final Fantasies were created equal, however; some, like Final Fantasy IV and VI, have aged gracefully and remain great narrative-driven adventures, while others might feel a bit more archaic even with the quality-of-life additions. Purists also may not appreciate the new balancing introduced in these new remasters. Even so, if you don't have them on a cartridge with an ancient TV to hook them up to or don't want to experience the bonus dungeons added in other versions, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more convenient, aesthetically pleasing, and faithful way to play through some of the best JRPGs ever made.
These six remasters provide a superb way to experience or re-experience Final Fantasy history. Not all Final Fantasies were created equal, however; some, like Final Fantasy IV and VI, have aged gracefully and remain great narrative-driven adventures, while others might feel a bit more archaic even with the quality-of-life additions. Purists also may not appreciate the new balancing introduced in these new remasters. Even so, if you don't have them on a cartridge with an ancient TV to hook them up to or don't want to experience the bonus dungeons added in other versions, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more convenient, aesthetically pleasing, and faithful way to play through some of the best JRPGs ever made.
These six remasters provide a superb way to experience or re-experience Final Fantasy history. Not all Final Fantasies were created equal, however; some, like Final Fantasy IV and VI, have aged gracefully and remain great narrative-driven adventures, while others might feel a bit more archaic even with the quality-of-life additions. Purists also may not appreciate the new balancing introduced in these new remasters. Even so, if you don't have them on a cartridge with an ancient TV to hook them up to or don't want to experience the bonus dungeons added in other versions, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more convenient, aesthetically pleasing, and faithful way to play through some of the best JRPGs ever made.
These six remasters provide a superb way to experience or re-experience Final Fantasy history. Not all Final Fantasies were created equal, however; some, like Final Fantasy IV and VI, have aged gracefully and remain great narrative-driven adventures, while others might feel a bit more archaic even with the quality-of-life additions. Purists also may not appreciate the new balancing introduced in these new remasters. Even so, if you don't have them on a cartridge with an ancient TV to hook them up to or don't want to experience the bonus dungeons added in other versions, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more convenient, aesthetically pleasing, and faithful way to play through some of the best JRPGs ever made.
These six remasters provide a superb way to experience or re-experience Final Fantasy history. Not all Final Fantasies were created equal, however; some, like Final Fantasy IV and VI, have aged gracefully and remain great narrative-driven adventures, while others might feel a bit more archaic even with the quality-of-life additions. Purists also may not appreciate the new balancing introduced in these new remasters. Even so, if you don't have them on a cartridge with an ancient TV to hook them up to or don't want to experience the bonus dungeons added in other versions, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more convenient, aesthetically pleasing, and faithful way to play through some of the best JRPGs ever made.
These six remasters provide a superb way to experience or re-experience Final Fantasy history. Not all Final Fantasies were created equal, however; some, like Final Fantasy IV and VI, have aged gracefully and remain great narrative-driven adventures, while others might feel a bit more archaic even with the quality-of-life additions. Purists also may not appreciate the new balancing introduced in these new remasters. Even so, if you don't have them on a cartridge with an ancient TV to hook them up to or don't want to experience the bonus dungeons added in other versions, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more convenient, aesthetically pleasing, and faithful way to play through some of the best JRPGs ever made.
Disney Speedstorm delivers solid karting action with fantastic handling and clearly spends a lot of care and attention on its characters and courses. Its performance on Switch lets it down, though, especially on handheld where it's a blurry, stuttery mess, and those not interested in the live service setup will struggle to get along with it.
All in all, we loved Melon Journey: Bittersweet Memories for taking us back to our roots and reminding us of simpler times when games were much more limited and required a unique type of creativity and imagination in their nostalgic design and witty storytelling. Short but sweet, if you're looking for a well-written little adventure that walks a dark path, you'll enjoy this evocative, melon-choly journey.
It's clear that a lot of effort and love went into Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection; this is a worthwhile re-release that gives you a lot of bang for your buck. While everyone will have their favorite, the Mega Man Battle Network series remained remarkably consistent throughout its whole run, due in no small part to the innovative battle system and charming storylines present in each entry. If you're a fan of Mega Man and haven't given these games a shot yet, you owe it to yourself to pick this one up immediately. Even if you're not a Rockman enthusiast, these games each offer up some inventive RPG experiences that are certainly worth your time.
Cannon Dancer is an undeniably polished product and has Yotsui's action-cinema aspirations stamped all over it. Speed, dynamism, and full-bodied combat snap will keep bringing you back for more. While visually inspired and boldly artistic, it's a concise affair, as was Strider, buoyed by a refined control scheme and consistently interesting stage developments. While the finale is no Third Moon, and could have been improved with a few adjustments, it still qualifies as the Strider sequel you always wanted but never knew.
All in all, Pokémon Stadium was a revolutionary step up for the monster-catching franchise, and that's not just due to the fact that we got to see all 151 critters in full-fledged 3D. The inclusion of the GB Tower, as well as allowing players to experience Pokémon characters in fun new ways through minigames and the Pokémon Lab, felt remarkably fresh and offered a new perspective on our repository of 'mons. Sure, the battling can get a bit repetitive and lengthy, but the awesome visuals, animations, and commentary can help keep this from becoming mundane.Played today, Pokémon Stadium provides a healthy number of alternative ways to enjoy the classic 151 once again, but is tightly integrated with the original Game Boy titles, primarily enhancing and augmenting them rather than standing on its own. It's far tougher to recommend to anyone who doesn't have a collection of critters available to upload from on a Game Boy cart, but there is loads to love here if you're an OG fan.
Tron: Identity won't wow anyone with its puzzles, but it does a great job of telling a tight story that changes with each playthrough. The short playtime encourages you to explore the world a bit more and uncover new truths that you missed because of your previous actions. If this is the start of a series of Tron visual novels, which the plot certainly feels like, then we're hopeful we get to continue our journey with Query very soon.
Batora: Lost Haven is the perfect example of a damningly mediocre experience. The few things that it does well-such as its energetic combat and engaging choice system-are nothing that you haven't seen done before elsewhere, while the things that it misses-such as its storytelling and puzzle design-really take the wind out of its sails. Batora has its redeeming traits, but it feels like this is one that just never quite manages to pull everything together in a way that feels worthwhile. This is the kind of game that we wouldn't necessarily recommend you buy or skip; if it feels to you like this is up your alley, then maybe it's worth the punt if you can get it on sale, but you won't be missing out on much if you choose to pass.