Cubed3's Reviews
Yakuza 3’s most ardent fans will find much to be disappointed about with this highly anticipated remake of a game that deserved better. It is difficult to ignore the wealth of cut content, and the Dark Ties side story fails to make up for it. Yakuza Kiwami 3 is still Yakuza, though, and for anyone that hasn’t played the game since the PS3 days – or at all – it will more than satisfy. There are few series that so successfully manage to mesh the serious with the outrageous, but Yakuza pulls it off every time. While much has been lost, plenty has been improved, making for a far smoother version of Yakuza 3 with incredibly fun combat. If Switch 2 is your only means of experiencing the game, don’t pass it up.
Grid Legends: Deluxe Edition arrives on Switch 2 as a well‑executed conversion of Codemasters’ racer, offering a broad set of visual presets, stable performance and a clear presentation that suits the hardware. Feral Interactive’s technical work results in smooth handling, faster loading and a flexible range of options that allow the game to run consistently in both docked and handheld play. The Deluxe Edition’s full suite of content, combined with cross‑platform online support and an accessible driving model, positions it as one of the strongest racing titles currently available on the system.
Book of Korvald is a dark fantasy 2D action-RPG (with a little bit of metroidvania thrown in) that mixes Norse mythology, themes of Lovecraftian fantasy, and as the cherry on top, some thicc erotica, in a storyline that’s surprisingly good, complemented by a distinct, grim art direction and atmosphere. Clearly made with love, the moment you pick up the controller it also becomes clear that this could be so much better with some extra care, especially as this is a port of something that was around for some time. Try it out only if found at a very good price, or keep an eye out for the PC version if you want to try the complete NSFW (and then some) variant.
Arcade Archives 2: Bomb Bee on Switch 2 offers a tidy, well‑presented look at one of Namco’s earliest arcade experiments. The Arcade Archives 2 framework adds enough flexibility to make short sessions more enjoyable, and the sharper scaling and reduced latency help the simple paddle‑based design feel responsive. It remains a brief, straightforward game, yet this version treats it with care and gives it the structure it always needed.
Arcade Archives 2: Scrambled Egg makes a stronger impression on Switch 2 than its modest premise suggests. Technos Japan’s 1983 maze‑puzzler gains real clarity from the sharper scaling and reduced latency, giving its egg‑pushing mechanics a smooth, readable flow even on large screens. The Pac‑Man‑era influence is unmistakable in the way pressure builds and enemy patterns loop, yet the game retains its own identity through its puzzle‑driven structure. Arcade Archives 2 adds the right conveniences, such as rewind, difficulty options, screen settings, rapid‑fire, save slots and online rankings, thus making it the most approachable and enjoyable version to date. It’s a simple game, but presented with enough polish to earn a second look.
Could this have just been DLC to the core game? Probably. Subnautica: Below Zero comes off as more of the same, but less magical and less interesting now that it abandoned its horror veneer. The only advantage is that Below Zero doesn't overstay its welcome and wraps itself up much quicker. Subnautica was long and stretched into the JRPG playtime territory, where it could take over 50 hours to complete. Below Zero remains a heavyweight, matching the length of some classic Super Nintendo-era RPGs with a playtime of around 30 hours. It’s an impressive package that still delivers the full survival-in-the-ocean experience. Being shorter and more condensed worked in Below Zero's favour, with less meandering and a stronger focus, but it's a shame it pulled back on the existential fear. The Nintendo Switch 2 features go a long way to make the Subnautica games more playable and better looking, but the core foundation is still built on a grind of repetitive tasks.
Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid is a great summery, relaxing time, with an engaging story, decent visual and sound design, and a lot of heart. There is a lot of fun to be had, even with the slightly unbalanced elements like character voicing. For anyone looking for a somewhat nostalgic and cheeky adventure where they can switch off and have a blast, look no further.
Ys X: Proud Nordics delivers Falcom’s most confident and complete take on the adventure, refining the original release with sharper combat, cleaner presentation and a brighter sense of character. The Switch 2 version benefits from stronger performance, faster loading and a noticeably smoother flow during exploration and battles, although the dated engine and occasional stutters reveal the limits of the underlying technology. The added content and quality‑of‑life improvements give this re‑release genuine value, yet the full‑price model and lack of an upgrade path remain difficult to ignore. Even so, Proud Nordics stands as the definitive way to experience Adol’s latest journey, offering an energetic, polished and consistently engaging action RPG that plays to the series’ strengths.
Denshi Life 2 does a lot to progress the game from the original. With new modes, wider play space, and more, it is an excellent little experimental game with a really fun and cool aesthetic. Adjusting the denshi and snapping the right photo can an addictive experience. Mindware has once again produced a charming, excellently designed and unique product. Thoroughly recommended for all, especially fans of retro game aesthetics and music.
A stark reminder of how tough games used to be, Ninja Gaiden II may be a challenge, but its distinct stages and unique storytelling help it to stand out, making it a platformer worth persevering through. That now becomes all the more possible with the save and rewind features of this Console Archives edition. If it hasn't been played before, it's very likely The Dark Sword of Chaos will pleasantly surprise, excelling as one of the very best NES games.
With many classic cartoons receiving the scroller treatment at the moment, it may seem like a difficult choice on which to throw the cash at. With the fantastic gameplay, excellent soundtrack, and sheer love and dedication to bringing together an authentic experience, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge rises above the Saturday morning TV pantheon to lead the way in revivals. A robust online element, as well as couch co-op, means newcomers and veterans alike will have this in rotation for a long time to come. Eclectic!
The flashy, “loud” and repetitive visuals hinder battlefield readability, while standard, unremarkable shmup gameplay fails in helping Shinorubi stand out in any way. Floaty controls, forgettable bosses, and weak scoring systems leave behind an experience that is dull. Bad? No. Just painfully average.
Mario Tennis Fever continues the series' blend of fun, colourful and party-like tennis with a fresh entry on Nintendo Switch 2. Whilst there are glimpses of creativity and nods to past fan-favourites, the solo campaign feels over far too soon. There’s potential for Fever to have been a lengthy five setter, but the game doesn't quite reach those levels, unfortunately. DLC, if a future option, could well help. As a multiplayer romp, though, Mario Tennis Fever serves a good time overall for some hearty tennis action!
ACA Neo Geo: Puzzle Bobble 2 is a solid port and feels right at home on the Switch. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles players might find in a puzzle game made today, but people nostalgic for a simpler time, or for this specific iteration of the Puzzle Bobble series, aren’t going to be let down by this port.
The industry owes a lot to Space Invaders, and it may not be any small stretch to say it could be a very different place if it wasn't for its existence. For that reason alone it is worth investing in this huge piece of video game history, where an appreciation can be developed for what Tomohiro Nishikado's shoot 'em up has achieved. There is no avoiding the simplicity and likelihood that it won't hold the attention for too long given the choice on offer nowadays, but the brief time spent with it delivers tension and reward in equal measure, especially when factoring in online leaderboard competition.
Where certain narrative-heavy games strive to be “cinematic” – sometimes to their own detriment – Fort Solis aims lower: being a generic Netflix miniseries. To think of how Fallen Leaf and Black Drakkar Games were afforded a modest production budget, alongside big-name voice talents, and all they could mustre was a shallow walk-a-thon that’s as meandering and stale as its script.
The nicest thing that can be said about Steel Worker is that it is, in fact, a video game. Not a bad game by any means, but one that meets the broadest definition of a video game and delivers exactly what it promises. In a way, it brought some innovation to Lemmings-style gameplay, but could generously be described as a proof of concept.
The Plucky Squire is a great little adventure game. It has a fun, if slightly cliché, story but executes it in a very unique way. Gameplay is always chill, the writing and art style are charming, and it's a really solid package. It stumbles a little on the clarity and iffy stealth, but it's not enough to detract from the charming animation work and fun puzzles. A fun pickup for fans of older-style Legend of Zelda titles and crafty-looking games.
A slick, approachable blend of classic Puzzle Bobble/Bust-A-Move gameplay and rhythm mechanics, QQQbeats!!! is tons of fun, and said fun is elevated by a very good soundtrack and charming presentation. Its simplicity makes it a title that’s easy to pick up and play, yet it’s surprisingly hard to master, so be prepared to lose 10 (or more) consecutive matches against a teenager from abroad. The somewhat low mechanical variety and limited number of modes curb its long-term appeal, however, so approach cautiously.
Arcade Archives: Karate Blazers offers the retro-loving community a ‘90s beat ’em up that does the unthinkable: it’s even more generic and repetitive than the rest of its ilk. A charmless imitation of Final Fight, while functional and initially enjoyable, its overly long and repetitive levels quickly drain what little fun there is to be had here. Aside from the four-player co-op appeal, it remains an unoriginal, merely “okay” arcade relic mainly suited to devoted old-school collectors - and even they can find better pieces of software to spend their money on.