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GREAT - Five years on from original release, Quiplash is still considered by many to be the quintessential Jackbox game. Its focus on creativity and personality gives it an unmistakably unique identity that welcomes both the clever and the crass with open arms.
GREAT - CrossCode is a great action/RPG that features beautiful graphics and an amazing soundtrack. The setting and story are unique but didn’t really wow me as much as I had hoped. The combat and puzzle solving are fun, but some might find aspects of the game too challenging. That being said, there’s a ton to like here and this is a great game for the Switch!
GREAT - Another amazing Switch port arrives in Catherine: Full Body, a must-play for fans of dark romantic thrillers. Just don’t take relationship advice from Vincent, all right?
GOOD - Urban Flow is a challenging stoplight/traffic management game that utilizes the Switch platform nicely. You can tackle the campaign levels solo which was my preference, or sync up 3 other players and turn the game into a sort of ‘party’ style game. There’s a lot of layered challenges this game will offer over it’s 100 levels, but the difficulty curve may turn some players off before they get to see everything that is offered. For $14.99 you’re getting a polished experience, but there are plenty of free or very cheap games in this genre on mobile platforms as well that may satisfy your traffic light switching urges.
GOOD - If you’re nostalgic for a simpler time in gaming, or you just need even more sponge in your life, Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated is a remaster absolutely worth diving into. The level design and humor holds up incredibly well despite some clunky controls, and it really does give you that feeling of stepping back into the early 2000s for an afternoon.
WORTH CONSIDERING - Namco Museum Archives Volume 2 contains a more eclectic batch of games that may have a harder time resonating with much of the gaming public. That being said, it’s worth checking out if you have a history with the titles included and several are still very playable today.
GREAT - Namco Museum Archives Volume 1 is the best Switch compilation from the company so far. With 10 classic NES games (most of which never appeared in this country before) and a demake of Pac-Man Championship Edition, there’s a lot to like here!
GREAT - Trails of Cold Steel III is a lengthy and fun JRPG that’s bound to get lost in the sea of competing titles. It doesn’t help that Switch owners have to jump in with the third in the series, especially since the story and characters are directly connected to the previous games. However, if you stick with it you’ll be rewarded with a fun combat system, endearing characters, and an entertaining adventure.
GREAT - Racing around the city at blinding speeds is just as fun today as it was 12 years ago. Burnout Paradise City is a shining example of how to do a Switch port right. The $50 price tag is a bit hard to swallow, but the insane fun found here is undeniable.
GOOD - If you’ve been hankering for a really good simulation game but are disappointed by the lackluster showing so far on the Switch, then give this one a go. It should give fans of the genre hours and hours of enjoyment and allows you to play it in a way that suits you. However, it’s not great on the portable version for those of us with less than perfect eyesight.
MEDIOCRE - Star Horizon is a pretty standard on-rails shooter set in space. Basic gameplay and an extremely lenient auto-targeting system make for a fairly dull experience. Visuals, voice overs, and graphics are pretty decent here, but overall there’s much to be desired.
GOOD - Dread Nautical is a tactical turn-based RPG with some roguelike elements. Mixing these elements with a compelling story, interesting characters, and the classic risk and reward systems works well. Ultimately it reminded me of the board game Clue come to life mixed with a little bit of XCOM. The repetitive layout of the ship and enemies put a damper on what otherwise is a great concept for a game.
WORTH CONSIDERING - Turmoil is in fact a quite charming game, with a soothing soundtrack and a really clean 2d art style. The gameplay is casual, but addictive and at no time did I ever feel overwhelmed by any of the sim management aspects. It was a fun time for me hopping into the year 1899 and drilling for black gold.
GREAT - clean, vibrant and accessible way that I generally thought wouldn’t be possible. With semi-freeform trails that allow players to carve out their own paths, and challenges that’ll have you white knuckling down a mountain to beat a time limit, there’s a lot of intense fun to be found here for a very reasonable $19.99 price tag.
GREAT - Super Mega Baseball 3 retains the wonderful gameplay from the prior game and the bottom line is that it’s just plain fun to play. The addition of franchise mode is sure to excite some gamers and this is a great iteration of the franchise to begin with. However, if you already own Super Mega Baseball 2, the price of admission may be too steep for this sequel.
GREAT - Despite the indie background, Spirit of the North feels like a master class in atmosphere and just how much you can do with it. Even with some noticeably rough edges, the world we get a glimpse into is beautiful, bold, and begging to be explored.
EXCELLENT - The latest entry in the Ninja Storm franchise continues to build upon what the popular series is known for: over the top ninja action. If you’re a fan of Naruto you won’t be disappointed. This one doesn’t miss.
EXCELLENT - Gamers have overlooked the beat’em up genre for decades, but Streets of Rage 4 is here to knock some sense into them. It walks that fine line of providing just the right amount nostalgia while at the same time injecting new characters and gameplay to create a fantastic experience that should appeal to the teenagers of the ‘80s and today. Grab a friend and kick some butt. Don’t sleep on this one!
MEDIOCRE - If you like shooters and are really looking for something to play, flip a coin. Galaxy Warfighter’s lack of a solid soundtrack and its repetitiveness make for a dull experience that only the most desperate of SHMUP fans should seek out.
WORTH CONSIDERING - Curious Expedition is a game for those that enjoy Roguelike strategy titles with some choose your own adventure thrown in for good measure. The graphics aren’t that great, but I had a fun time trying to nab some treasure without dying. If you don’t like having to start over from scratch after you die, then this one’s not for you.