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Overall, Runbow Pocket is just as fun as it was on the Wii U with plenty of content, plenty of costumes and characters to unlock as you go through. There is just the one pretty big omission from this release that stops it being a good replacement for other versions, that being the local multiplayer. If you can get over that or if you are only looking to get the game for its single player component, then there is plenty to enjoy about Runbow Pocket. It’s a fun, colourful game that is worth jumping in and out of, which is what the New Nintendo 3DS is great for.
Just Dance 2018 does the job it intends to do on its annual basis. The minor additions don't really warrant a full purchase as the Just Dance Unlimited feature is starting to make the rest of the content feel a little redundant. However, it's a great little party burner and the kids seem to love it.
Monopoly for Nintendo Switch delivers a solid enough version of the famous board game that’s unfortunately held back by some frustrating issues. With a little polish, better pacing, and a more competitive price point, this version could have been a great alternative for fans of the game. As it stands though Monopoly for Nintendo Switch is perfectly playable but feels like a bit of a missed opportunity.
Moon Hunters is easily summed up by saying it's akin to a Dungeons and Dragons-style "choose your own adventure". Some choices you make can play out very differently with your third, sixth, or twentieth playthrough. Every tale has the same start and end, but the middle can be incredibly varied. It's a sumptuous title in both story and presentation; with visuals that could stand up next to Hyper Light Drifter and sound design that sweeps through orchestral themes and folk songs. It's a shame that the fighting mechanics feel a little too similar because the story itself is a real treat.
Rocket Fist is a fun game and I don’t think anybody can ask any more than that. If you are going at it alone I would question if your money is best spent elsewhere, because while the single-player portion is fun, it’s simply not going to give you a whole lot of content. Even if you play with friends it isn’t going to keep you hooked for hours and hours, but if you want a game to add to the multiplayer collection then you can do far worse as anybody can jump in with you and have a fun time.
Spelunker Party! is the kind of game that fails to make any real lasting negative or positive impression. It’s a better experience when played in a group, however, the game’s overall mix of frustrating platforming, bland presentation and uninspired level design mean this is a party you might want to pass on.
With an engine sputter, Vroom in the Night Sky is an unarguable disaster. It wouldn’t be unfair to expect the early releases on the Nintendo eShop to showcase the portable home console’s potential. Dull, shortlived, and with an unjustifiable price point, Poisoft, if anything, painfully demonstrates what not to do.
With your canine companion patiently sat wagging its tail as you drift downstream, this uncharted journey through a forgotten post-societal America is one that will long linger in your mind. A tale of hardship and perseverance, The Flame in the Flood: Complete Edition succeeds in pushing you to your limits – standing out as memorable addition to the Nintendo eShop. And, you’ll be surprised at what you will discover along the way.
Unbox: Newbie’s Adventure packs character, charm, and potential, but fails to deliver on the goofy adventure that it promises. It’s not bad enough that your parcel will go astray, but any criticism lies more in the fact that wilder ideas were needed to make the activities stand out from the crowd. What we’re left with is a game that treads ground that is too familiar without many fresh ideas away from its main star, which is what nearly put the Global Postal Service out of business in the first place.
As a single player experience, Party Golf makes for a tougher recommendation, the overly simplistic gameplay wearing thin quickly and its trials not offering enough to hold your attention. If you’re looking for a simple, pick up and play, frantic multiplayer game though, then Party Golf should offer enough laughs to keep you and your group entertained. With an insane number of customisable options and the ability to share the fun with up to eight players, Giant Margarita’s take on the golfing genre is a unique one, if somewhat simple.
With my time spent on this little platformer, I have developed a bit of a soft spot for Pankapu. We have been through a great deal together. The world of dreams ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there if you let it.
88 Heroes: 98 Heroes Edition is a hilariously fun, yet tough little title that will keep you entertained for a few hours at least. It has some great ideas at play here with a charming personality in its presentation. It’s also nice to see a few cameos appear from other rising star published games such as Rusty from SteamWorld Dig and the dodgy looking fella from Conga Master Party! to name a few. However, once the comedy and novelty start to wane so does it’s mediocre gameplay. Which may leave you pretty underwhelmed within a very short time, and £29.99 poorer.
But, there is no other series that can capture pure joy so readily, and, coupled with the fact that Nintendo has regained their confidence with Nintendo Switch, sees Super Mario Odyssey never hit a bum note. Packed with energy, charm, and every trick in the book thrown in, choosing to hop aboard the Odyssey will undoubtedly result in you having the chance to experience one of the Mario’s greatest adventures. It’s a perfect reminder of the gaming magic that Nintendo is revered for, and something that they have miraculously been able to bottle twice within a single year.
The Jackbox Party Pack 4 delivers an uneven selection of games. Fibbage 3 is predictably still fun with Enough About You being an excellent addition to the formula. Survive the Internet is a major highlight and among one of the best games in the whole series. Monster Seeking Monster is overly complex but can be fun with the right people, while Civic Doodle is passable but never reaches the heights of previous drawing games. Bracketeering, however, is a straight-up dud and one I don’t wish to return to.
And, after the credits roll once you reach the cataclysmic conclusion to SteamWorld Dig 2 it is worth taking a moment to look back at the map. Where SteamWorld Dig had really only let the player dig downwards, the network of makeshift tunnels that you carve out in the sequel are a reflection of the personal journey that you have taken. And that freedom, above all else, can be seen as the game’s greatest success.
Stardew Valley is one of those games I could write about for pages and pages. Whatever the next day had in store for me whether it was harvesting, fishing, exploring the mines or simply running a quick errand for a friend, I couldn’t stop playing. The constant pull to earn money or better my relationship with the townspeople or just make my farm the best it could possibly be was a constant and something that continues to bring me back even now. Stardew Valley is a delightfully charming and deep experience and easily one of the Nintendo eShop’s best.
And, that’s it. It is a shame to see Astro Bears Party score success with its manic gameplay, huggable characters, and minimalistic art direction, only to leave players without enough of a reason to return to orbit their nearest planetoid. It suits Nintendo Switch with its local multiplayer, but a lack of variety makes it hard to recommend – especially with the Nintendo eShop becoming an ever-increasingly competitive place to be.
As a single player experience, Sine Mora EX is a great modern day shooter that keeps the tradition of the coin-op alive. The collaboration between Grasshopper Manufacture and Digital Reality has been a solid one. The controls are tight, the sound is great with plenty of replayability to be had. There’s plenty of challenge for the hardcore shmup fan and a surprisingly approachable title for newbies to start off with. Some may not grasp the hook quite as strongly due to the high difficulty and repetitive nature that these games are known for nowadays.
Vaccine could have been great in all honesty and I really wanted it to be. It just, unfortunately, falls some way off. Some may say it’s basically a rip-off but I see it more that the game was made for a bit of fan service for those that love the old Resident Evil games and, because of that, I can’t see it appealing to anybody else in all honesty. It is a shame that in order to see the game at its best, you need to have a bit of luck and hope that you get a good mansion layout. When I got a good layout, I actually enjoyed the experience.
Neo Turf Masters is one of the better Neo Geo titles Hamster Corporation have released on Switch so far. While light on content, the game’s charming presentation and satisfying gameplay make for a one of a kind golfing experience that’s at its best when playing with someone else. A great addition to any sports fan’s Switch library.