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Jay and Silent Bob: Chronic Blunt Punch comes down to missed potential. The game shows flashes of what it could be, but never sustains it. The combat can feel satisfying, especially once you build momentum and access its full set of tools. The concept fits perfectly for short sessions. But the structure works against all of it. Poor checkpointing, unclear systems, and repetitive progression turn what should be a quick, fun experience into something frustrating. That consistency across platforms makes the issues stand out even more. Its co-op limitations, inconsistent combat, and visual issues all point to the same problem: the game never fully supports its best ideas. When everything lines up, it briefly becomes what it should have been all along. There is a better version of this game. This just is not it.
It’s hard not to compare Bubsy 4D to Demon Tides because the foundations are so similar, and I think I would’ve walked away more positive if Bubsy had launched first. That’s not to say Bubsy 4D falls short—it’s a solid 3D platformer that is mechanically deeper and feels better than most in the genre. It’s just not a game that shoots for the stars the way Fabraz proved they could before. Still, this is the best rags to riches revival I’ve seen in gaming, turning a laughing stock of the industry into a franchise that can sit alongside Mario’s biggest rivals. The bobcat is back by no demand—and he’s actually a lot of fun this time.
It’s difficult to top an already stellar game. Forza Horizon 6 does everything right while finally answering a long-time fan’s dream of setting the game in the land of the rising sun. Setting a new bar for open-world racing, content progression, and onboarding, user-generated content, and cultural representation, Forza Horizon 6 is a triumphant testament to the iterative progress in the long-running franchise.
Video games are an art form and can tell powerful stories that touch the soul. But they are also interactive experiences that challenge players to engage with deep systems and mechanics. Impressively, Pragmata combines both of these approaches to game design masterfully. Hugh and Diana’s bot-blasting and gravity-hopping adventure combined the best elements from past and present Capcom. In many ways, Pragmata is one of the publisher’s greatest video games, showing that melding a heartfelt narrative and deep gameplay can create generation-defining experiences.
I wanted to love Sonic Forces more. It's a game with grand ambition, a big story, and tries to appeal to every fan with its three playable heroes, while also returning to the attitude of the Sonic Adventure days. But due to lackluster level design, lack of strong replay value, and a disappointing narrative, Sonic Forces is one of the franchise's weaker experiences.
Dark Light: Survivor's early access debut is the most mechanically ambitious Bullet Heaven I've played. The instantly swappable camera system, twin-stick and third-person combat layered onto the genre's classic auto-attack, the Hades-style Deity power-ups, and the reactive enemy design all combine into a chaotic, deeply engaging package. Mirari&Co. clearly understand what makes the genre tick and have the courage to push it in new directions. The forgettable soundtrack, finicky auto-attack, and stingy meta progression keep it from sitting at the top of the genre right now, but every issue feels fixable through early access updates rather than baked into the foundation. Mirari&Co. has a true champion in the making with Dark Light: Survivor and I hope and expect that it will be heralded as the pinnacle of the genre by the time it reaches 1.0.
From top to bottom, Directive 8020, even with the minor technical issues I experienced, is SuperMassive's best game yet. The story is solid, and through the use of flashbacks, the player is kept wondering when the results of the actions they took earlier in the game will come to the forefront. This is a well-crafted addition to the Dark Pictures line of games. Speaking of, if you miss the presence of an old friend, make sure you gather all the secrets the Cassiopiea has hidden within her.
Invincible VS gets the hard part right. Quarter Up delivered a fighting game that opens its arms to newcomers without hollowing out the experience for vets, and the combat is the most fun tag fighter I’ve touched since Marvel vs. Capcom 3. The visuals pop, the gore sells the Invincible identity, and crossplay at launch is exactly what the genre needs. Where it stumbles is around the edges. Animations could use polish, the story mode ends on a cliffhanger that should’ve been a complete arc, and the absence of a trial mode hurts long-term skill development. Even with those misses, this is a confident debut and an easy recommendation for Invincible fans and tag-fighter diehards alike.
Vampire Crawlers is exactly the kind of follow-up you hope for from a studio like poncle. Taking everything that made Vampire Survivors so addictive and making it work in an entirely new genre is no small feat. Yet, they pull it off here with the same knack for excellent game design that made the original a phenomenon. The visual effects and soundtrack are tantalizing, the dungeon crawling adds a fun element in between the action, and the deck-building depth and addictive progression system will keep you locked in. The shared Evolution combinations from Survivors take some discovery away for veterans, but it’s a minor drawback for an otherwise outstanding experience. Between Xbox Game Pass and the $9.99 price point, Vampire Crawlers is the easiest recommendation of the year.
Kiln is one of the most frustrating disappointments I've experienced this year because everything surrounding the multiplayer is good to great. The pottery wheel is a delight, the art direction is gorgeous, and Celadon's a charming character even in her limited capacity. But Double Fine built a beautiful frame around a hollow center. Quench is shallow, combat lacks impact, and there isn't enough content to keep me in it for the long haul. If you've got friends, a few free hours, and you love the idea of throwing virtual clay, there's a good time waiting here. If you're looking for a multiplayer mainstay, this isn't it—at least not yet. With more modes and meaningful updates, Kiln could grow into the game its premise deserves. Right now, it's a charming idea that needs another year on the wheel.
Replaced respects your time, rewards your patience, and delivers a world that feels as good to move through as it does to look at. Once its systems click, it becomes an experience that’s easy to appreciate and hard to put down.
As someone who has been following this Feperd Game’s work over the years, it’s beautiful to see the evolution of Spark as a series. Originating as a simple ability that Sonic utilized in Sonic After the Sequel, evolving into the unique speedy platformer of Spark 1, and making the successful grand leap into 3D with Spark 2, it’s amazing seeing the quality on display in Spark the Electric Jester 3. It’s a master class in speedy 3D platforming, taking the best elements from Sonic’s past and combining them with fresh ideas and concepts. And with the game feeling great to play on both Nintendo Switch platforms, Spark 3 is a speedy adventure I can easily recommend to anyone who loves running under sparkly blue skies.
Pokémon Pokopia is far more than Animal Crossing meets Minecraft with a Pokémon skin. It’s the most personal, heartfelt Pokémon experience the franchise has ever delivered, where all 300 Pokémon feel like living, breathing characters rather than stat blocks. The cozy presentation, expressive animations, serene soundtrack and robust narrative work in perfect harmony with genuinely deep gameplay systems. A minor inventory gripe and some frustrating multiplayer restrictions are the only real marks against what is otherwise a fantastic Pokémon adventure. Koei Tecmo and Game Freak have built something special here, and I came away loving Pokémon more than I have in years. More than that, Pokopia feels like the reset button the franchise needed after the struggles of the Switch generation. Here’s hoping Pokémon Winds & Waves can capitalize on this momentum when it lands in 2027.
When innovating a genre known for pick-up-and-play fun, it has to make that work for a multiple-hour-long adventure. And the difficulty spikes and lack of accessibility options harm the bold ambition of Caromble's core game design. It's wild, inventive levels that continually mix things up, combined with new abilities in each world, that keep things fresh and engaging. So even though I had fun with my time with Caromble, my frustrations with the game's great difficulty soured the experience.
Pokemon Champions succeeds in doing something the series has struggled with for years: making competitive Pokemon accessible without stripping away its depth. Between the streamlined systems, balanced design choices, and strong progression, it creates an experience that feels welcoming to newcomers while still challenging veterans to adapt. While issues like the Replica Team system and lack of a replay feature hold it back slightly, the overall package is incredibly strong. After 30 hours of play and plenty of time in ranked battles, it’s clear this is a game built to last and one that I’ll continue playing well beyond this review.
Saint Slayer: Spear of Sacrilege is more than just a love letter to the NES games of yesteryear. It is a tight action platformer that stands on its own two feet. Between the gorgeous pixel art, the banging chiptune soundtrack, and a move set that truly rewards mastery. Saint Slayer is a gritty and rewarding experience that captures retro nostalgia while also creating a potential new lane for Lillymo. If you love old-school side-scrolling adventures, do not let this game pass you by.
Mouse: P.I. For Hire is a fun, visually exciting ride that you won't want to end. Lumi Games put their heart and soul into putting this game together, which shows in the attention to detail present throughout. The amount of pop culture easter eggs, both visually and in the dialogue, shows that they did their homework. Even with the minor issues I experienced, I would recommend this game to anyone.
To say Super Mario Bros Wonder is the greatest 2D Mario platformer since Super Mario World or Yoshi’s Island would be an understatement. It takes the best aspects of the New Super Mario Bros games and combines them with high-quality presentation, creative level design, and gameplay decisions one would expect from the mainline 3D Mario platformers. All that, combined with a wide slate of new multiplayer modes and welcomed inclusions to the main adventure with this Switch 2 Edition release, and even at the high price tag of $80 for the physical release, this is an easy recommendation for anyone looking for an amazing platforming adventure.
Kirby Air Riders vindicates the original Kirby Air Ride‘s vision completely. What critics dismissed as a failed experiment now stands revealed as an ahead-of-its-time gem that needed refinement to fully blossom. This isn’t a game that clicks immediately with everyone. It demands patience, practice, and willingness to engage with unconventional systems. Expecting Mario Kart with a Kirby coat of paint guarantees disappointment. But meet the game on its own terms, and you’ll unlock one of the most rewarding and distinctive racing experiences available.
Revisiting these classics, more so after enjoying The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, has been a wonderful treat. They hold up beautifully on Nintendo Switch & Switch 2, retaining the high quality that they had on the original Nintendo Wii. Lack of accessibility options for motion controls and somewhat dated textures do little to sour what are stone-cold Nintendo classics. Stunning visuals, intuitive platforming that keeps you on your toes, and some of the best presentation in any 3D Mario adventure make this double pack a must-own for any Mario fan.