Here’s the games I have reviewed so far on the Nintendo Switch 2 in this genre, from best to worst. Note: If multiple games have the same score, they will be sorted alphabetically.
Roguelikes
| Game | Genre | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Hades II – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition | Action / Roguelike | A |
tl;drHades II is an excellent follow-up to its predecessor, a fine Action Roguelike with an absolute ton of content, and that follows in the footsteps of its predecessor while changing things enough that this feels like a very different sort of game while still fitting in with the original. The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of the game is a free upgrade if you own the Nintendo Switch version, and the improvements to graphics and performance are absolutely noticeable. If you’re looking to play a truly excellent Action game on the go, this is well worth picking up. | ||
| Balatro | Turn-Based Card RPG / Roguelike | A- |
tl;drBalatro is a Turn-Based Card RPG and Roguelike that starts with a standard deck of poker cards that players gradually trade out and upgrade, aiming to keep racking up increasingly high scores to get as far as they can. While this game has a few rough spots, overall this is a brilliant mix of accessibility and exquisitely-crafted gameplay that puts it on par with the likes of Slay the Spire as the best this genre has to offer. This is an absolute must-play for any fans of this genre. | ||
| Ball x Pit – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition | Arcade / 2-Stick Shooter / Roguelike / Simulation | A- |
tl;drBall x Pit is a game that blends a wide variety of disparate genres, such as 2-Stick Shooter, Arcade, Roguelike, and Management Simulation, resulting in something that is wildly unique, offering a lot of depth, yet still highly-accessible and easy to pick up. Consider this a must-have if you’re craving originality, and something still worth checking out even if you just like some of the genres I named. | ||
| Brotato – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition | Arcade / Roguelike | A- |
tl;drBrotato is a “Bullet Heaven”-style Arcade Roguelike in the same vein as Vampire Survivors, with a strong focus on the Roguelike elements that helps to set it apart within the genre. The presentation here isn’t great, but as long as you can get past that, this is an excellent game well worth its low $5 price tag. | ||
| Minishoot’ Adventures – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition | 2-Stick Shooter / Top-Down Action-RPG | A- |
tl;drMinishoot’ Adventures is a game that combines 2-Stick Shooter gameplay with “2D Zelda”-style Top-Down Action-RPG game structure in a way that absolutely delivers, both on each of its two halves and also on the wonderful combination of those two different types of gameplay. There are perhaps a few areas where it could be improved, but overall this is an outstanding game that fans of either genre should consider a must-have. | ||
| Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition | Action / Roguelike | A- |
tl;drTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate is an Action Roguelike similar to the Hades series that has players taking the role of one of the four titular Ninja Turtles and fighting through enemies with various random upgrades in each run. While this game doesn’t top Hades, it’s a solid take on that formula with great 4-player co-op that makes this an excellent entry in the genre and a must-have for fans of the Ninja Turtles franchise, with Nintendo Switch 2 bringing better graphics, better performance, and even more multiplayer options. | ||
| Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault | Top-Down Roguelike Action-RPG / Management Sim | B+ |
tl;drMoonlighter 2 is a Top-Down Roguelike Action-RPG with shop Management Simulation elements. This time around, the shop simulation elements feel somewhat minimized, and the Roguelike elements and combat are stronger. The latter is certainly an improvement, but the former is disappointing, making this a less-balanced game than its predecessor. In addition, Moonlighter 2 suffers inexplicable performance issues on Nintendo Switch 2. This is still an excellent Action-RPG, but it’s not quite the success the first game was. | ||
| The Rogue Prince of Persia | Action-Platformer / Roguelike | B+ |
tl;drThe Rogue Prince of Persia is an Action-Platformer and Roguelike that excels in the series’ signature smooth, satisfying platforming and combat, but misses a step with its Roguelike elements and level design. Thankfully, the Nintendo Switch 2 version is much-improved over the Nintendo Switch release, particularly the way it cuts down on loading times, making a leaner, meaner, smoother experience all-around. For fans of Action-Platformers, this is definitely a game you’ll want to look into. | ||
| Blazblue Entropy Effect X – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition | Action-Platformer / Roguelike | B |
tl;drBlazblue Entropy Effect takes the series’ characters out of the Fighting genre and places them into an Action-Platformer with Roguelike elements, and the result is mostly very good. It’s disappointing to see characters’ move sets cut down, and there are a few needlessly confusing gameplay elements, but overall this is a solid Action-Platformer that I think even players who don’t enjoy Fighting games will find worth a try. | ||
| Deadzone: Rogue | First-Person Shooter / Roguelike | B |
tl;drDeadzone: Rogue is a First-Person Shooter and Roguelike set on a space station orbiting Earth. The First-Person Shooter half of the game is decent but nothing special, but the game is elevated by its Roguelike elements, which add some enjoyable variety and progression. The result is a game well worth trying out on Nintendo Switch 2. | ||
| Blue Prince | First-Person Puzzle / Roguelike | B- |
tl;drBlue Prince is a First-Person Puzzle game with Roguelike elements that has players exploring a mansion by spawning a selection of randomized rooms and trying not to block off their progress. It’s a clever idea, but the first-person perspective slows down the pacing and doesn’t seem necessary for most of the gameplay. fans of Puzzle games may enjoy this game, but it won’t be for everyone. | ||
| Full Metal Schoolgirl | Third-Person Shooter / Action / Roguelike | C |
tl;drFull Metal Schoolgirl is an Action game with Third-Person Shooter gameplay and Roguelike elements where players take the role of robotic schoolgirls fighting through hordes of robotic enemies in a bad satire of toxic work culture. Everything here is mediocre – mediocre Action gameplay, repetitive environments and enemies, lackluster Roguelike elements, and unimpressive graphics and performance. You can still find some fun here, but you have countless better options. | ||
| Haste | 3D Platformer / Arcade / Roguelike | C |
tl;drHaste is an Arcade-style 3D Platformer with Roguelike elements where players take the role of an interdimensional mail courier running from a strange corruption threatening the multiverse. The gameplay here combines the classic mobile game Tiny Wings with something like a 3D Sonic game, with players not jumping so much as ramping up hills and then trying to land on downslopes to maintain their momentum. This game has its moments of fun, but also its frustrations due to underwhelming Roguelike elements and the overly-prominent role luck plays here. Overall, this isn’t a bad game, but it’s hard to recommend unless you’ve played all the 3D Sonic games on Nintendo Switch 2 and want something else speedy. | ||
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