Nintendo Enthusiast

Even after being hindered by a small development budget, Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes still impresses in the end. It’s the bat-s**t crazy story and characters you can expect from a No More Heroes game, along with the best gameplay the series has seen thus far. My hope that the next mainline installment learns a thing or two from Travis Strikes Again in the combat department.

Though Double Cross’s gameplay and visuals sparkle, its story falls flat. The central conflict didn’t connect with me as I had no previous knowledge of Zahra or RIFT, and its importance was greatly overshadowed by the more emphasized parts of the game, like platforming and combat. I found myself disinterested in the story.

I have to say, overall, I found New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe to be a bit of a disappointment. It isn’t that it’s a bad game, far from it in fact. However, it is one of the weaker Mario games. There’s a lot of fun to be had, but not much by way of wow factor. The visuals are bright and appealing but lack depth and interest.

Ultimately, BQM -BlockQuest Maker- is an incredibly enjoyable game maker for its budget price. One level at a time, it allows you to create tense action or intricate puzzles (or both!) using simple tools. For people who loved Super Mario Maker and wondered why a “Legend of Zelda Maker” never followed, BQM might scratch an itch for them.

GRIP surprised even me, one who is often disinterested in the racing genre. The game shines brilliantly in its variation of game modes, challenges, and tracks. The thrill of racing at high speeds can be exhilarating but also frustrating, as the game is largely unforgiving of simple blunders — or those without refined racing reflexes like me.

Aaero was my favorite game of last year, and with the move to Switch it’s now one of my favorite titles of 2018. It’s one of those games that will have a permanent spot on my console. The way that Mad Fellows has reinvigorated the rhythm action genre is nothing short of brilliant. If you have any interest in the genre, EDM, or just great games, then this is something that you really should add to your collection.

Battle Princess Madelyn is certainly a time capsule from a few decades ago for better and worse. Where the game succeeds, it does so well and with style. But, the multitude of minor pitfalls that inhibits gameplay progression and causes frustration held Madelyn back from being a true indie gem. Sure, the classics were great for their time, and they can still be honored.

Rival Megagun is a surprisingly entertaining addition to the shmup genre. As a lifelong fan of Galaga and 1942, Rival Megagun is right up my alley. The gameplay twists genre conventions, the action is intense, and the competition can be tough at times. Despite all the great things, you can figure out enemy patterns through repetitive play, the online community is lacking, and unless you have people to play with, the overall experience outstays its welcome after a while.

Despite the sacrifices, V-Rally 4 is still the most detailed racing game on Switch for the time being. It’s difficult but remains a lot of fun. With GRID also on the way, perhaps the racing sim genre is making a real return to Nintendo platforms.

All in all, the game is entirely basic by design which is why the fun’s expiration date was rather quick. The cartoony frenzy and button smasher that is A Gummy’s Life offers instant thrills for groups of friends or family. Sure, the game can be played alone against an army of computer AI – but why would you want to? The fun, however brief, is in the friendly couch competitions.