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While hardly essential, those with nostalgia for it might consider a revisit, mainly if they have someone to share in some multiplayer entertainment with.
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero – Ultimate Edition really is the definitive version of this already fantastic game. The DLC, while not as strong as the main game, is a nice bonus, with some very creative use of Shantae and her friends. If you haven't already tried this game, the answer is easy: play this now!
Shift Quantum adds a new dimension to the action puzzle-platformer, with an element of mystery that makes it incredibly atmospheric.
Overall, Dragon Blaze offers classic arcade shooting with plenty of action and a high level of difficulty to test even the most adept players. The dragon aspect adds a new spin on the genre, and, despite the short play time, there's plenty of score chasing to do if you're looking to scratch that shooter itch. Check it out.
Bouncy Bob's cumbersome movement combined with remarkably fast-moving enemies makes the game difficult to recommend to most people. But anyone with large amounts of patience who's searching for a strategic platformer with simple controls will enjoy the game. Despite its already low price, the amount of content in the game is still very thin so anyone interested in buying should wait for a sale
Tengai is a simple shooter with a lot of charm. The gameplay, while nothing special, is perfectly serviceable. And with twenty-plus endings, adjustable difficulty, as well as multiple fun and colorful characters, there's a lot of incentive to keep coming back after each playthrough.
Super Daryl Deluxe offers up a humorous story backed by its great amount of customization and exploration. One of my favorite things about the game was that you never knew what twist or turn it was going to take.
Zotrix: Solar Division does a nice job of keeping things fresh and interesting, by offering up several different gameplay options as well as different conditions for winning.
Jotun: Valhalla Edition is a game of moments. It's like an album with a handful of brilliant songs surrounded by filler material you'd rather just skip. That's not to say it's not worth playing, especially at the attractive price of $14.99. The great moments make it worth it, but the gameplay between those moments can try your patience. As such, it'll just take some serious dedication to play it all the way through.
My first hour of diving into Garage was extremely promising, but as time went on the honeymoon phase quickly began to fade. Tearing apart zombies and snagging new weapons from a top-down perspective made me feel like I was preparing myself for a recipe of DOOM mixed with an adventure feel from The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. In that sense, the game serves its purpose, but Garage ends up being just another average take on the overly saturated slew of apocalyptic zombie survival games we've seen over the last decade with an added touch of a twin-stick shooter.
Sol Divide is a piece of gaming history that is probably worth the $7.99 it costs. It's not complex, but there's definitely nostalgia value, whether you're reliving the late '90s of experiencing their reboots for the first time.
Pacing issues notwithstanding, Swim Out succeeds when played for a few minutes here and there. It's non-linear nature (and lack of a timer) allows you to take your time with each puzzle, and easily move on to another. Puzzle enthusiasts will get a good Nintendo Switch game at a fair price, one that will exercise their brains. Just make sure to wait 30 minutes after eating before playing.
The Adventure Pals is a fun platformer that players of all ages can enjoy (assuming they like and appreciate the silliness of the gameplay and storyline), not to mention how great it looks. The story could be a bit more lengthy but it does have some replay value for those who like playing co-op or achieving 100% completion.
Immortal Redneck isn't especially thought-provoking, but it's a fiercely entertaining shooter complete with magic, mythology and a great sense of humour.
I really enjoyed my time with Another Lost Phone, which turns your Switch into a giant smartphone to provide a unique puzzle experience.
It's easy to overlook Max: The Curse of Brotherhood when searching for a good platformer, but don't. Some frustrating moments aside, it's a well-designed twist on the genre that's quite at home on the Nintendo Switch in terms of visuals and controls. Those who didn't complete it on other platforms will find the Switch's touchscreen eases much of the difficulty, and the $15 price tag ($30 for the physical copy) makes it a game that's easy to pick up between bigger releases. And if there's a lesson to be learned here, it's that you really shouldn't mess around with spells you find online. You never know which ones will actually work…even if they don't begin with “I wish…”
The nostalgia is nice, but I'm also reminded of advancements that the genre has made over the past twenty-plus years. With brisker combat and some much-needed voice work, this could be great, but Earthlock is still good as-is for genre fans.
Rocket of Whispers is a beautiful journey into a bleak world. There's a great story to be told here, and it's a pleasure to uncover. This simple, story-driven game is well made and enjoyable while it lasts.
Overall, this is a pick-up and go type of addition for the Nintendo Switch. It's available on other platforms, but most gamers will find it's best on the go. Strong artwork, mechanics, and cleanliness of the title make it extremely polished, but the lack of depth made it hard for me to want to put any more than a couple hours into Rogue Aces.
Ninja Strikers doesn't have much in the way of story, but it's retro design and fierce difficult both pay a fine homage to legendary old school games.