By Matt Espineli on
Switch Games That You Need To Play
Nintendo’s Switch has won over the hearts of those once skeptical of the fan-favorite games company. After the middling reception of the Wii U, many had worried about how the company would manage against giants like Sony and Microsoft in the increasingly competitive games market. However, it defied all expectations with its intuitive and innovative hybrid console. Capable of transitioning from a portable to a living room console at will, the promise of the Switch is one that has captured the imaginations of game playing public.
Alongside the Switch’s release was the universally praised The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, giving it the killer app it needed to quickly rise to the top of console sales charts and dramatically increase Nintendo’s revenue. But in the years since its launch, there has been no shortage of amazing games. We’ve got big first-party games like Mario and Kirby. On the other hand, there are indie darlings like Dead Cells, Celeste, Darkwood, and Iconoclasts. Recently, we got Cadence of Hyrule, a game that fell right in between those spaces that took a massive franchise like The Legend of Zelda and put it in the hands of a passionate indie developer.
Another strong aspect of the Switch is its third-party support. You’ve got games like Mortal Kombat 11 and Octopath Traveler. Of course, there’s plenty of ports too, such as Assassin’s Creed III and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Regardless of where you look, the library only seems to be expanding and improving with every consecutive year.
In this feature, we’re taking a look back at the best Switch games so far. This includes games that have received a score of 8 or higher on GameSpot since the console’s release, as well as reviews for new games and updates to reviews of older games that were ported to Switch. Check out our choices for the best games released on the Switch. And with the console’s library continuing to expand, make sure to check back often as we update this feature over the coming weeks and months.
The Switch already has hundreds of games, so many that some are bound to fly under our radar. The games covered here are only a small handful of the experiences out there. Which games do you think are some of the Switch’s finest? Let us know in the comments below.
Super Mario Maker 2 — 8/10
“With the story mode and dozens of custom-built stages under my belt, I’m anxiously waiting for the floodgates to open upon Mario Maker’s 2 release. What I’ve played so far has proven, once again, that the Mario series is worth all the admiration it gets, and Mario Maker 2 is an excellent tool for picking it apart by pushing its enemies, mechanisms, and Mario, to their limit. I’ve yet to make a stage of my own that I think is worthy of sending out to other players, but I’m committed to getting there. Whether exploring the full potential of a single element or throwing things at the wall to see what sticks, I’ve got the itch to join the creator’s club. And thankfully, even if you aren’t an instant success (like me), Mario Maker 2 makes the learning process intuitive and enjoyable.” [Read the Review]
— Peter Brown, Managing Editor
Cadence of Hyrule — 9/10
“Cadence of Hyrule is a fantastic Zelda game in its own right, even though it adopts the gameplay mechanics of another series. Beyond the aesthetics, it nails the satisfying sense of exploration and increasing power, and it revels in the joy of discovery, as all the best Zelda games do. It’s an extremely successful melding of two great game series and an experience that makes you feel eager for Nintendo to do more interesting things with their major licenses.” [Read the Review]
— James O’Connor
Mortal Kombat 11 — 9/10
“MK11 isn’t just a sequel for series fans and NetherRealm devotees, it’s a gateway into the realm of fighting games for anyone who has a passing interest in watching ruthless warriors beat each other silly. Streamlined mechanics keep the act of fighting furiously exciting no matter what your skill level, and comprehensive tutorials encourage you to dig into the nitty-gritty. There’s a diverse roster of interesting characters and playstyles, and the story mode is an entertaining romp. The randomization of Krypt rewards and the odd issue with the game’s always-online nature can occasionally chip away at your patience, but Mortal Kombat 11 absolutely hits where it matters.” [Read the review]
— Edmond Tran, Senior Editor and Producer
There’s A (3rd) Party For Nintendo Switch And You’re All Invited
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There’s A (3rd) Party For Nintendo Switch And You’re All Invited
As you read this feature, you’ll notice that many of the Nintendo Switch’s best games come from third-party developers. While Nintendo has plenty of fantastic games to offer, it is crazy noticing just how many great non-Nintendo developed games are on the hybrid console. Watch us discuss this phenomenon in the video above. Otherwise, keep scrolling down to see more great Switch games.
Cuphead — 8/10
“Cuphead has been a longtime coming, and it’s great to see that it lives up to its initial promises across all platforms. It’s beautiful to look at, and with a pitch-perfect soundtrack, it flawlessly captures the era its developers so clearly revere. It’s also an intense action game that pulls no punches. It could benefit from a few tweaks, and two-player co-op doesn’t feel like the valuable addition you might imagine, but Cuphead remains a rare, unique game that truly stands out.” [Read the review]
— Peter Brown
Katana Zero — 8/10
“The uncertain future of the story that Katana Zero so brilliantly sets up is concerning, but that shouldn’t deter you from diving into this compelling introductory chapter. Its combat provides an exciting challenge that tests both strategy and reflex, while also giving you clever abilities to make it as stylish as possible. The narrative contextualization of both your abilities and role within Katana Zero’s world is expertly written, with a clever dialogue system letting you inject personality into character interactions. Katana Zero is bloody and brutal, but it’s also a heartfelt tale that you shouldn’t overlook lightly.” [Read the review]
— Alessandro Barbosa
BUY KATANA ZERO AT:
Yoshi’s Crafted World — 8/10
“Yoshi’s Crafted World is at its best when it’s relaxing and pleasant. The 2D-to-3D level design keeps you curious while the go-at-your-own-pace approach keeps the pressure off and leaves you to appreciate the small, imaginative details. Its most interesting ideas never evolve past their first introductions and are frequently confined to one or two levels, but individually, those levels both reward your curiosity and your willingness to slow down and look at what’s around you–and it’s those simple pleasures that provide the most joy.” [Read the review]
— Kallie Plagge, Reviews Editor
BUY YOSHI’S CRAFTED WORLD:
Assault Android Cactus+ — 9/10
“Assault Android Cactus+ is the ultimate version of an excellent game, and a perfect marriage between console and content. It’s exciting and intense without ever being impenetrable, and the new Campaign+ feature is a great reason to dive back into the game even if you’ve already completed it elsewhere.” [Read the review]
— James O’Connor
Tetris 99 — 8/10
“Tetris 99 may not be a proper battle royale game, but it taps into the same emotional well, where a large number of players vying for supremacy creates an ever-present intensity that’s difficult to shake. Add that layer to a game that’s plenty capable of instilling tension on its own, and you’ve got a riveting experience that even at its worst is still a game very much worth playing. There’s obvious room for improvement, but that’s the last thing on your mind when the pieces start falling and the players start dropping.” [Read the review]
— Peter Brown, Managing Editor
Wargroove — 8/10
“That’s good news, because Wargroove is a delight to play, and the possibility of an endless supply of content for it is a tantalizing prospect. Chucklefish could have offered up a prettied-up take on Advance Wars with online multiplayer and called it a day. Instead, it’s made meaningful improvements that make this both a satisfying answer to starved Advance Wars fans’ wishes and a genuinely great experience on its own merits.” [Read the review]
— Chris Pereira
BUY WARGROOVE:
Diablo 3: Eternal Collection — 9/10
“Diablo 3 is a game about long term goals accomplished in short, thrilling bursts. It’s rewarding and subtle. It’s flashy and boisterous. I have spent six years enjoying it, and will likely spend six years more. As far as video games go, that’s a long time–I came into the Eternal Collection expecting a eulogy for one of my favorite games. Instead, I stumbled upon a celebration.” [Read the review]
— Mike Mahardy
BUY DIABLO III: ETERNAL COLLECTION:
Bury Me, My Love — 8/10
“Bury Me, My Love might share a similar structure to other mobile text-based adventure games like Lifeline and Mr. Robot:1.5.1exfiltrati0n.apk, but the story it tells and the themes it delves into are relatively unexplored within the medium. It shines a light on a situation people are all too eager to ignore and humanizes the stories of those most commonly relegated to ticker text on news reports, and for that reason alone it’s an essential experience. That the story it tells is so engaging and believable, with wonderfully well-rounded characters, only elevates its exploration of the realities of war, and it manages to successfully elicit a genuine human connection. Switch might not be the ideal platform to play Bury Me, My Love on, but whatever your system options are, it’s well worth following Nour on this all-too-real journey.” [Read the review]
–Richard Wakeling
BUY BURY ME, MY LOVE:
Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu / Eevee — 8/10
“Despite these concessions, Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu and Let’s Go Eevee are delightful reimaginings of the series’ origins and a deep RPG in their own right. It makes a lot of smart improvements on the original Red, Blue and Yellow while holding on to what made them so special in the first place. Fans of the series might be let down by the lack of features they’ve come to expect, but Let’s Go Pikachu and Let’s Go Eevee take the Pokemon formula in some exciting new directions.” [Read the review]
— Jake Dekker
BUY POKEMON: LET’S GO PIKACHU / EEVEE:
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate — 9/10
“An inconsistent online mode and situational downers don’t stop Super Smash Bros. Ultimate from shining as a flexible multiplayer game that can be as freewheeling or as firm as you want it to be. Its entertaining single-player content helps keep the game rich with interesting things to do, as well as bolstering its spirit of loving homage to the games that have graced Nintendo consoles. Ultimate’s diverse content is compelling, its strong mechanics are refined, and the encompassing collection is simply superb.” [Read the review]
— Edmond Tran, Senior Editor and Producer
BUY SUPER SMASH BROS. ULTIMATE:
Full Metal Furies — 8/10
“So yes, Full Metal Furies is primarily a brawler, and a good one that promotes teamwork instead of button-mashing. But it’s also a very hard puzzle game, one that challenges you to perceive each level, as well as the game’s mechanics and characters, in new ways. It’s a shame most of the Furies are so two-dimensional throughout the main campaign–especially Meg, who’s arguably the most lovable of the bunch–but the story is consistently witty with its humor and an absolute joy to watch unfold. And while coming up with strategies to handle new enemies and piecing together the clues for each puzzle is fairly difficult at times, it’s a rewarding and deeply satisfying challenge.” [Read the review]
— Jordan Ramee, Associate Editor
Pikuniku — 8/10
“While Pikuniku is a light experience, it’s got enough charm and verve to stick with you well beyond completion. From Piku’s weird wobbly gait and looping jumps in the opening right through to the game’s funny, bizarre ending, Pikuniku is more gripping than its simple aesthetic and playful tone would suggest. It’ll make you feel like a kid again.” [Read the full review]
— James O’Connor
BUY PIKUNIKU:
Dragon Ball FighterZ — 9/10
“FighterZ is complex and distinct enough to be enjoyed by fighting game competitors, but there’s no question that it’s been designed to tap into the hearts of Dragon Ball’s most dedicated fans, and no doubt those same qualities will win people over who’ve never given the series a chance. Where past games attempted to get there through huge character rosters and deliberately predictable trips down memory lane, FighterZ has bottled the essence of what makes the series’ characters, animation, and sense of humor so beloved and reconfigured it into something new: a Dragon Ball fighting game that can go toe-to-toe with the best of the genre.” [Read the full review]
— Peter Brown, Managing Editor
BUY DRAGON BALL FIGHTERZ:
Undertale — 9/10
“Three years after its initial release on PC, Undertale has found its way to the Nintendo Switch–and of course, the game is every bit as charming, challenging, and harrowing as it was the first time around. Undertale may seem like a straightforward retro-style RPG, but it subverts player expectations every chance it gets, which never gets stale because of clever writing and an evocative chiptune soundtrack. Thankfully, it plays just as well as it does on other platforms without any performance hitches or bugs after putting about four hours into this version. Like its console counterparts, you can fill the screen with an adaptive border that thematically fits with the location you’re in (Undertale plays in a 4:3 aspect ratio). Dodging enemy attacks in the bullet hell-style defensive phase in combat works just as well with the Joy-Con analog sticks.
Undertale isn’t afraid to break convention, and because it does so in a way that’s thoughtful and humorous throughout, the result is an emotional rollercoaster that fills us with determination.” [Read the full review]
— Michael Higham
BUY UNDERTALE:
Into the Breach — 9/10
“There is so much strategic joy in seeing the potential destruction a swarm of giant monsters is about to unleash on a city, then quickly staging and executing elaborate counter maneuvers to ruin the party. Into The Breach’s focus on foresight makes its turn-based encounters an action-packed, risk-free puzzle, and the remarkable diversity of playstyles afforded by unique units keeps each new run interesting. It’s a pleasure to see what kind of life-threatening predicaments await for you to creatively resolve in every new turn, every new battle, and every new campaign. Into The Breach is a pristine and pragmatic tactical gem with dynamic conflicts that will inspire you to jump back in again, and again, and again.” [Read the full review]
— Edmond Tran
BUY INTO THE BREACH:
The Messenger — 8/10
“The Messenger takes the best parts of the action-platformers it takes influence from and reinterprets them well. With clever writing, well-designed levels, and balanced difficulty curve, the game continuously hooks you with enticing skill-based challenges and satisfying payoffs. Your character might have an immediate imperative to delivering a world-saving scroll, but the journey there is definitely one to savor.” [Read the full review]
— Alexander Pan
BUY THE MESSENGER:
Dead Cells — 9/10
“Dead Cells is a fascinating amalgam of several of today’s most popular indie genres. It juggles elements of tough-as-nails action games and Metroid-inspired exploration platformers, with the procedurally generated levels and random item allotments found in roguelikes. It’s impressive how it all comes together without a hitch, especially given that the persistent character growth found in games like Dark Souls or Metroid squarely conflicts with the randomized resets emblematic of Rogue-inspired games.” [Read the full review]
— Daniel Starkey
BUY DEAD CELLS:
Mega Man X Legacy Collection 1 + 2
“In a way, the entire collection itself is the museum–an entire series, with all its beauty and its blemishes, on display for its audience to judge and assess years later. Parts of this legacy have aged horribly, but they’re still undeniably a piece of Mega Man X history. We’ve been told that the upcoming Mega Man 11 was greenlit thanks in part to fan interest in the original Mega Man Legacy Collection. If Capcom follows with a proper sequel to Mega Man X, this compilation provides valuable lessons on what the series is, what it isn’t, and what it can be when given the chance.” [Read the full review]
— Steve Watts
BUY MEGA MAN X LEGACY COLLECTION 1 + 2:
Octopath Traveler — 8/10
“Despite the lackluster stories that pull you through the world, Octopath thrives on its character progression and the temptations of high-level challenges and rewards. The promise of new jobs, exciting boss fights, and powerful gear will inspire you to poke around every corner, and there are no shortage of discoveries to strive for. And all the while, you’re treated to one of the most interesting and effective re-imaginings of a retro aesthetic around. Octopath will likely be a divisive game due to its fractured storytelling, but it’s one worth playing despite its lesser qualities. Its high points are simply too good to ignore.” [Read the full review]
— Peter Brown, Managing Editor
BUY OCTOPATH TRAVELER:
Captain Toad
“Despite a smattering of minor complaints, Captain Toad stands as a pint-sized version of Nintendo’s stellar first party pedigree. It’s among the best Mario spin-offs around and a delightful iteration on old ideas.” [Read the full review]
— Daniel Starkey
BUY CAPTAIN TOAD: TREASURE TRACKER:
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus — 8/10
“As long as you’re able to play the entire game in docked mode, The New Colossus is the same fantastic game it is on other platforms. It runs well and, despite some minor visual compromises, it still looks pretty good. Handheld mode is unfortunately far less optimized, and the Joy-Cons simply don’t feel as good to use as the Pro Controller. If Switch is your only way to play it, The New Colossus is absolutely worth your time–just not on the go.” [Read the full review]
— Kallie Plagge, Reviews Editor
BUY WOLFENSTEIN II: THE NEW COLOSSUS:
West of Loathing — 8/10
“There are a few minor issues–inventory management on Switch becomes cumbersome as you collect an increasing amount of things, fights with a lot of enemies can obscure some pertinent information, and the stakes sometimes feel a little too low to be completely motivating. But West of Loathing’s focus on maintaining a flexible, open-ended nature and lighthearted, humorous feel keeps you engaged in what feels like an imaginative pen-and-paper Dungeons and Dragons campaign, led by a game master whose only goal is to make sure you’re laughing and having a fun time. West of Loathing’s visuals are monochromatic, but there’s enjoyable comedy painted between every line, a pitch-perfect Spaghetti Western soundtrack, and a full spectrum of role-playing possibilities to choose from that make it a consistently enjoyable madcap cowboy jaunt.” [Read the full review]
— Edmond Tran, Editor and Video Producer
BUY WEST OF LOATHING:
BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle — 9/10
“Whether playing through the story mode alone or against hardened opponents online, Cross Tag Battle is an absolute joy with a surplus of possibilities within its wide roster and versatile fighting system. Even with all the ridiculousness of the overarching plot, I reveled in the charm of my favorite characters and embraced the many moments of fan service. It’s a masterful unification of styles and mechanics from four different universes that compels you to dig deeper and dedicate the time to getting the most out of the beloved members of this cast.” [Read the full review]
— Michael Higham, Associate Editor
BUY BLAZBLUE: CROSS TAG BATTLE:
Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection — 8/10
“That’s more or less the story of the 30th Anniversary Collection. It won’t satisfy every specific demand, but it’s still a big collection of awesome games and behind-the-scenes content that no Street Fighter fan should miss. Street Fighter is a series worth celebrating and Digital Eclipse has managed to do so in a manner that feels respectful to the series and to the people who keep the spirit of arcade battles alive.” [Read the full review]
— Peter Brown, Managing Editor
BUY STREET FIGHTER 30TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION:
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition — 8/10
“Those returning to the fray will likely be a little disappointed as there just isn’t enough new content to rouse fresh excitement. For newcomers, though, Hyrule warriors is a delightful, bizarre outing that opens up the Zelda series, taking us places we’ve been before, just with thousands of monsters and awesome, screen-clearing magical attacks.” [Read the full review]
— Daniel Starkey
BUY HYRULE WARRIORS: DEFINITIVE EDITION:
Battle Chasers: Nightwar — 8/10
“Beyond the challenge of combat, Battle Chasers is sustained through the strength of its story, a rollicking tale that takes our heroes literally to hell and back. It’s bolstered by some sharp dialogue, gorgeous artwork, and an ensemble that plays extremely well off of each other. Lots of work has gone into Nightwar since its first release, and the balancing improvements make it an easy game to recommend on all platforms.” [Read the full review]
— Justin Clark
BUY BATTLE CHASERS: NIGHTWAR:
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze — 9/10
“Tropical Freeze isn’t a heavy-hitter from Nintendo in the same way Breath of the Wild or Super Mario Odyssey are, but it’s a fantastic platformer that’s bursting with creativity and expertly designed challenges. It’s tuned just right–always tough but rarely frustrating–to ensure that even the most common moments feel great. If you missed out when the game first debuted back in 2014, give it a shot today. It easily stands the test of time.” [Read the full review]
— Peter Brown, Managing Editor
BUY DONKEY KONG COUNTRY: TROPICAL FREEZE:
Bayonetta 2 — 10/10
“But it’s a challenge you’ll want to experience again as soon as you put down the controller. Bayonetta 2‘s combat is so expertly constructed, and its presentation so joyously insane, that you’d have to try so very hard to get bored of it all. In a year filled with the promise of ever more elaborate experiences on all the shiny new hardware, that Bayonetta 2–a homage to classic game design and escapism–should be the most fun I’ve had playing a game all year is unexpected. But maybe it shouldn’t have been. After all, its predecessor still stands as one of the finest games of its genre. To have surpassed that with Bayonetta 2, and to have created a game that will be remembered as an absolute classic, is nothing short of astonishing.” [Read the review]
— Mark Walton
BUY BAYONETTA 2
Celeste — 9/10
“It’s a testament to convincing writing and ingenious design that after playing Celeste I felt like I’d been on the same journey as Madeline. Her struggle is one made easy to empathize with, her low points painful to watch, and her high notes exhilarating to experience. Her tale is delicately told and beautifully illustrated, confidently coalescing with the satisfying, empowering game it lies within. Not bad for a game about climbing a mountain.” [Read the full review]
— Oscar Dayus, Staff Writer
BUY CELESTE
Dragon Quest Builders — 8/10
“The excellence of Dragon Quest Builders illustrates the versatility of this 30-year-old franchise as much as it speaks to the engrossing appeal of Minecraft-inspired creation. The story-advancing draw of quests goes hand-in-hand with the depth of a crafting system that cleverly uses monster drops as some of the game’s building tools. Whether you want to focus on completing assignments or build with no specific purpose, the game is feature-rich enough to suck up untold hours, even if this happens to be your first Dragon Quest experience.” [Read the review]
— Miguel Concepcion
BUY DRAGON QUEST BUILDERS
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim — 8/10
“The original version of Skyrim is still an immense, engrossing RPG, and the quality, number, and variety of its quests makes it as easy to become lost in its world as ever. With the addition of Zelda-themed gear that’s actually useful–and the fact that you can play anywhere–the Switch version of Skyrim is a great excuse to revisit a much-loved RPG.” [Read the full review]
— Kallie Plagge, Reviews Editor
BUY THE ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM:
Golf Story — 8/10
“It can take a little while for the narrative to ramp up in Golf Story and for you to feel like you’ve really cultivated the skills of a champion, but based on the sheer scope of what the game delivers, there’s likely something for everyone to enjoy whether their shtick is mini-golfing or terrorising delinquents with frisbees. It has successfully captured the trappings of yesteryear’s RPGs, and the witticisms and idiosyncrasies of the characters you encounter are a great palate cleanser between rounds. Switch has had a swathe of indies hit its eShop recently, but if you’re looking for something that’ll give you satisfaction in terms of an interesting story and a rewarding mechanic, then Golf Story is certainly par for the course.” [Read the full review]
— Ginny Woo
BUY GOLF STORY:
Gorogoa — 8/10
“Few games take the concept of altering reality to as artistic a level as Gorogoa. This labor of love made chiefly by one developer is a gorgeous and intriguing puzzle game that works because of its stunning art and intelligent puzzle design. Far from a traditional game, Gorogoa is a slow and methodical trip into the surreal.” [Read the full review]
— Jason D’Aprile
Kirby Star Allies — 8/10
“Star Allies is yet another Kirby game, but it’s up there with some of the best. It’s an artistic showcase, and a great opportunity for co-op platforming. The one real complaint you can levy at it is that it gates off its more challenging aspects, but the fact that they are present to begin with will please anyone who’s grown weary of the series’ painless platforming.” [Read the full review]
— Peter Brown, Managing Editor
BUY KIRBY STAR ALLIES:
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild — 10/10
“No matter how gorgeous its environments are, how clever its enemies are, and how tricky its puzzles get, the fact that Breath of the Wild continues to surprise you with newfound rules and possibilities after dozens of hours is by far its most valuable quality. It’s a game that allows you to feel gradually more and more empowered yet simultaneously manages to retain a sense of challenge and mystery–which, together, creates a steady, consistent feeling of gratification throughout the entire experience. Breath of the Wild is a defining moment for The Legend of Zelda series, and the most impressive game Nintendo has ever created.” [Read the full review]
— Peter Brown, Managing Editor
BUY THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: BREATH OF THE WILD
Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle — 9/10
“Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle exudes off-beat optimism that never dissolves. It’s a consistent delight, no matter how challenging the road becomes, because Kingdom Battle’s unique turn-based tactics system is in every way a pleasure to engage with. Coupled with the annoyingly infectious allure of Rabbids, and the always delightful, colorful world of the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle is an implausibly engrossing formula that is positively challenging and endlessly charming.” [Read the full review]
— Edmond Tran, Editor
BUY MARIO + RABBIDS: KINGDOM BATTLE:
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe — 9/10
“For Mario Kart fans, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe might look like more of the same with small Double Dash-inspired tweaks. But thanks to a series of updates both big and almost unseen, it’s the version of Mario Kart to get. If you don’t own a Wii U or skipped out on Mario Kart 8 the first time around–or even if you’ve played it before–Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is worth your time. It plays beautifully on Switch in both handheld and docked mode, and its core racing is as exciting as ever. And, most notably, it completely revamps the original’s lackluster Battle Mode, rounding out an already great racing game.” [Read the full review]
— Kallie Plagge, Reviews Editor
BUY MARIO KART 8 DELUXE:
Mr. Shifty — 8/10
“Mr. Shifty isn’t a huge game in terms of length, but the three- to four-hour campaign is ample. It’s like a shot of adrenalin, offering an exciting, intense experience, and it’s easy to forgive the game’s performance flaws when it so consistently makes you feel like a badass.” [Read the full review]
— James O’Connor
BUY MR. SHIFTY:
NBA 2K18 — 8/10
“NBA 2K18 is a hardcore sports simulation. If you want to get good, you have to put in the work. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to improve your skills no matter how you want to play. And the fact that there’s so much to do is a bonus, because on the court, NBA 2K18 is also an amazingly well-crafted experience.” [Read the full review]
— Seth Macy
BUY NBA 2K18:
Night in the Woods — 9/10
“From beginning to end to epilogue, Night in the Woods is ultimately open to individual interpretation. How you relate to it depends on your own experiences and choices, including Mae’s dialogue and who you decide to spend time with. Though its charming and angsty story works well on its own merits, it’s special because of how it prioritizes conveying emotion over telling a straight narrative.” [Read the review]
— Kallie Plagge, Reviews Editor
BUY NIGHT IN THE WOODS:
Owlboy — 9/10
“Owlboy is consistently charming and surprising, and when its final act doubles down on every front, it’s bittersweet to see it end. As you relish the outcome of the final battle and watch the closing cutscene, you can’t help but reflect on the beginning of your adventure and how far the world and its inhabitants have come. You’ll never be able to play Owlboy for the first time again, but the memories of its magic moments stick with you. This is more than a treat for fans of old-school games; Owlboy is a heartfelt experience that will touch anyone with an affinity for great art and storytelling.” [Read the review]
— Peter Brown, Managing Editor
BUY OWLBOY:
Pac-Man: Championship Edition 2 Plus — 8/10
“Pac-Man: Championship Edition 2 creates an exciting dynamic where ghosts are still dangerous, but the overall game is more forgiving than the original–and it’s more entertaining as a result. Arcade ports tend to be games we play in short bursts–mostly for the nostalgia factor. Pac-Man: Championship Edition 2 certainly relies on that nostalgia to a point, but it handles the classic game in a way that plays with expectations to surprise you. It’s the same game enhanced in the right directions to be make an old concept fun, innovative, and challenging all over again.” [Read the review]
— Jason D’Aprile
Puyo Puyo Tetris — 8/10
“Overflowing with colorful personality, Puyo Puyo Tetris revels in its weirdness. It provides solid versions of both puzzle games and merges the two in bizarre, frantic ways that adds a fresh dash of style to these long-running series. With an array of game variations spanning single-player, along with on- and offline multiplayer, it’s an incredibly meaty package that should satisfy gamers for a long time to come.” [Read the full review]
— Jason D’Aprile
BUY PUYO PUYO TETRIS:
Rive — 8/10
“Rive is demanding, but it pushes the kind of near-thoughtless play that shoot-em-ups strive to achieve. When faced with an onslaught of enemies and environmental hazards, you’ll have to think fast or die. Rive also doesn’t run all that long, but what’s here is excellent, top-notch action, and the game delivers some of the most memorable moments in a shoot-em-up in years.” [Read the full review]
— Daniel Starkey
Rocket League — 9/10
“For people new to the game, they have a lot to look forward to regardless, as it’s one of the most fascinating sports games in memory. Nevermind if you don’t like soccer or couldn’t care less about the growing esports community. Rocket League is a unique game that redefines the concept of what a sports game can be, and Psyonix continues to support it with new content on a regular basis. It’s been around for a while, but now that it’s on Switch, there’s no better time to give it a shot.” [Read the full review]
— Peter Brown, Managing Editor
BUY ROCKET LEAGUE
Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment — 8/10
“Specter of Torment is a finely-crafted 2D platformer that is satisfying in all respects. Simply controlling Specter Knight–flying through the air and slicing through enemies–is a joy in itself, and being able to push your ability to control these skills in overcoming the game’s cleverly-designed and challenging levels is always an exhilarating feeling. Specter of Torment is a focussed, polished, and satisfyingly challenging game that’s well worth experiencing whether or not you’ve had the pleasure of playing Shovel Knight.” [Read the full review]
— Edmond Tran, Editor
BUY SHOVEL KNIGHT: TREASURE TROVE:
Sonic Mania — 9/10
“Sonic Mania methodically uses its sentimental appeal to great effect, but in the process, it heals the wounds inflicted by its most disappointing predecessors and surpasses the series’ best with its smart and interpretive design. An excellent 2D platformer, Sonic Mania goes beyond expectations, managing to be not only a proper evolution of the series’ iconic formula, but the best Sonic game ever made.” [Read the full review]
— Matt Espineli, Associate Editor
BUY SONIC MANIA:
Splatoon 2 — 8/10
“At first glance, Splatoon 2 seems very similar to the first game. But all the small changes, and even the bigger ones in single player and League Battles, make for a fresh take on the already unique shooter. If you played a lot of the original, the sequel has enough to keep you coming back, and if you’re new to the game, it’s a fantastic place to jump in.” [Read the full review]
— Kallie Plagge, Reviews Editor
BUY SPLATOON 2:
Stardew Valley — 9/10
“The sheer number of things to accomplish in Stardew Valley can keep you interested beyond the original three in-game years you need to reach the end of your story–you may just want to start over rather than continue on. You’ll work quite hard to gather enough money for your first horse, so that you can quickly move to the mines to get a mineral to complete a bundle at the community center. It’s all centered around whatever it is you want to accomplish that day. And that’s truly what makes Stardew Valley such a lovely experience, it encourages you to go out and be the best you can be, in whichever task that brings you the most joy. Stardew Valley motivates naturally, with blissful optimism.” [Read the full review]
— Mary Kish
BUY STARDEW VALLEY:
SteamWorld Dig 2 — 9/10
“Every advancement Dig 2 makes to its story and mechanics strengthens your initiative to progress. There’s an overwhelming sense of momentum that runs through the adventure; as if developer Image & Form sifted the original in a pan, removing its redundancies while expanding upon what made it so fun to persistently play. In your quest to acquire every upgrade and explore every nook and cranny, there’s no shortage of hidden collectables to discover. And with post-game content that unlocks after you unearth every secret, the desire to keep digging intensifies. Dig 2 manages to not only be an exceptional successor, but a great adventure in its own right. Where the first game was a diamond in the rough, Dig 2 is a polished jewel.” [Read the full review]
— Matt Espineli, Associate Editor
BUY STEAMWORLD DIG 2:
Super Mario Odyssey — 10/10
“Odyssey is sustained beyond its major milestones not only through colorful worlds and hidden challenges, but through the sheer joy of controlling Mario, who’s never felt more responsive or dynamic in action. Even with everything new that’s been introduced, Nintendo’s forward-thinking platformer retains the series’ classic handcrafted appeal, which is even more impressive when you realize how densely packed each kingdom is. Mario’s latest outing is big, bold, and bursting with new ideas, and like Breath of the Wild, is another instance of Nintendo going above and beyond to redefine our expectations. It’s a shining example of refined creativity, and another crown jewel for Switch that is without equal.” [Read the full review]
— Peter Brown, Managing Editor
BUY SUPER MARIO ODYSSEY:
Lumines Remastered — 8/10
“Lumines is the kind of game that temporarily rewires your brain, splicing together its ability to recognize visual patterns and audible rhythms simultaneously and forcing you to do the hard but delightful work of putting that ability to use. Having that experience so lovingly presented–and on the Switch, having Lumines handheld again for the first time in six years–is an occasion worth celebrating.” [Read the full review]
— Justin Clark
BUY LUMINES REMASTERED:
The Missing: JJ Macfield and the Island of Memories — 8/10
“The faltering plot twist doesn’t detract from the overall experience. The Missing is smaller and more mechanically conventional than Deadly Premonition or D4, but its components remain focused on distinctly a Swery game: a dark, idiosyncratic experience that tells a deeply personal story that’s as confronting as it is sincere. It is absolutely not for everyone, but as the game reminds us, there is nothing wrong with that.” [Read the review]
— David Wildgoose
