Here’s the games I have reviewed so far on the Nintendo Switch that I feel are the absolute games to throw down the gauntlet with players who are in the same room as you, playing on the same TV screen. These games are arranged first by letter grade and then alphabetically.

Best Games for Couch Multiplayer (Competitive)

Game	Genre	# of Players	Grade
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe	Kart Racer	1-4 Competitive (Local Split-Screen) 2-8 Competitive (Local Wireless) 2-12 Competitive (Online)	A++
tl;dr Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is not just a Kart Racing game, it is the Kart Racing game, removing the few flaws the Wii U version had and adding even more content to an already content-rich game, making this arguably the best-playing, best-looking and all-around best period when it comes to this type of racing game. If you have a Switch, get this game.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate	Fighting Game / Platformer / Party Game	1-8 Competitive / Team Competitive (Local / Online), Online Content Sharing	A++
tl;dr Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the latest in the series of Fighting Game / Platformer / Party Game titles, and it is in my mind the greatest, with absolutely tons of content, characters, stages, settings, and more, all built on a foundation of absolutely fun gameplay. A must-own game for the Switch.
Dragon Ball FighterZ	Fighting Game	1-6 Competitive Tag Team (Local/Online)	A
tl;dr Dragon Ball FighterZ is an over-the-top 2D Fighting Game in the same vein as the Marvel Vs. Capcom series, with explosive 3-vs-3 tag-team battles. This game absolutely earns its reputation as one of the best fighting games in years with its absolutely spectacular presentation and excellent deep but accessible gameplay. If you’re a fan of the franchise or just someone who enjoys Fighting games, this game absolutely needs to be in your collection.
Fast RMX	Futuristic Racing	1-4 (Local Splitscreen), 2-8 (Local Wireless, Online)	A
tl;dr Fast RMX is a futuristic racing game that isn’t quite on par with F-Zero, but it comes damn close. It looks absolutely fantastic at blazing speeds, plays well, and although it has a few minor issues, it’s still a spectacular game that every racing game fan with a Switch should own.
Rocket League	Racing / Sports (Soccer / Basketball / Hockey / Misc.)	1-4 Team Competitive (Local Split-Screen), 2-8 Team Competitive (Local Wireless, Online)	A
tl;dr Rocket League has players using cars to play soccer, hockey, and basketball, and it is an absolute blast to play. It still runs smoothly on the Switch, albeit with reduced resolution, and it’s loaded with options and a wealth of multiplayer features. What’s more, the change to free-to-play has made it even easier to take the plunge, as it not only removes the entry fee and the need to subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online for online play, but it actually has less monetization now than when I first reviewed it. Unless you have this game on another platform, you absolutely should have it on your Nintendo Switch.
TowerFall	Action-Platformer / Arcade	1-4 Co-Op (Local), 2-6 Competitive (Local)	A
tl;dr TowerFall has up to six players in a furious battle shooting arrows at one another or teaming up against enemies in a challenging and rewarding action-packed experience with a fantastic presentation, and with exclusive content that makes the Switch version of the game the definitive way to play it. It’s a bit on the tough side, but if you enjoy skill-based platforming and especially if you want to play with friends, TowerFall is absolutely a game you should own.
Wargroove	Turn-Based Strategy	1-4 Competitive (Local and Online), Online Content Sharing	A
tl;dr Wargroove is a Turn-Based Strategy game that is a damn near perfect spiritual successor to Advance Wars. This game is absolutely loaded with features, and should be considered a must-have for any fan of strategy games.
Wargroove 2	Turn-Based Strategy	1-4 Competitive (Local and Online), Online Content Sharing	A
tl;dr Wargroove 2 is a Turn-Based Strategy game which, like the previous Wargroove, clearly takes its inspiration from Nintendo’s Advance Wars series, albeit with a medieval fantasy setting and a wealth of features and improvements over what Nintendo has on offer. This sequel makes multiple small improvements, such as a new Roguelike-esque Conquest mode, but mostly this is more of the same sublime Turn-Based Strategy gameplay we saw in the first game. And in improving on one of the best games in the genre, Wargroove 2 has arguably become the new king of the genre on Nintendo Switch. Plus, with the game costing only $20, Strategy fans will absolutely want to get their hands on this game.
Advance Wars 1 + 2 Re-Boot Camp	Compilation / Turn-Based Strategy	1-4 Competitive (Local Alternating, Local Wireless Alternating), 2 Competitive (Online Alternating), Local Wireless / Online Content Sharing	A-
tl;dr Advance Wars 1 + 2 Re-Boot Camp is a compilation of remakes of the Game Boy Advance Turn-Based Strategy games Advance Wars and Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising. These are two phenomenal games, and the revitalized presentation looks great. However, there are some important features that are missing here, and in particular this game looks especially feature-poor next to the highly-similar game, Wargroove. I do still highly recommend Advance Wars 1 + 2 Re-Boot Camp, but between the two titles I think Wargroove is the better choice.
ARMS	3D Fighting Game	1-4 Competitive (Local Split-Screen), 2 Competitive (Online)	A-
tl;dr ARMS is a wildly unique 3D Fighting Game that plays like nothing else out there, with players focusing less on skillful moves and more on position and timing as they try to land punches on each other using stretchy arms. It is a surprisingly fun experience, and one that looks great and plays great, including in its 4-Player split-screen mode and in online matches. If you want a great competitive game on your Switch and don’t mind something that’s weird and takes some time getting used to, this is a must-have.
CastleStorm	Tower Defense / Arcade	1-2 Co-Op / Competitive (Local Split-Screen / Online)	A-
tl;dr CastleStorm is a side-scrolling Tower Defense game with Arcade-style gameplay elements where players can customize their own castle and then war with opponents in other castles, commanding troops and firing using a ballista to control the battlefield. This is a game that gives players a lot of freedom to make strategic choices, and does a good job making them easy to understand through the game’s campaign. What’s more, this is a fantastic multiplayer game both in co-op and competitive play, local and online (though the online lobbies are empty now), and the Nintendo Switch version is the definitive version of the game, with its excellent touchscreen controls in portable mode. If you enjoy Strategy games and don’t already have this on another platform, you should absolutely give it a try.
Drawful 2	Party Game	3-8 Competitive (Local) (4 Recommended)	A-
tl;dr Drawful 2 is a Party Game that players play using their Smartphone instead of a controller. This game challenges players to use their touchscreens to sketch out various prompts and then vote on what other players’ prompts are depicting. This game is a noteworthy improvement over the original, but it’s debatable whether the $10 for this one game is a better value than the $25 for The Jackbox Party Pack containing the first Drawful. Regardless, this is an excellent Party Game, and fans of the genre should certainly get at least one of the games in this series.
Fibbage XL	Party Game (Trivia)	2-8 Competitive (Local)	A-
tl;dr Fibbage XL is a Party Game where players are given an obscure question and prompted to create their own fake answer. Then players try to guess the correct answer from within all of the fake ones. It’s a hilarious spin on the trivia game that means that even if you’re not a trivia master you can still score big by fooling others. This is an all-around fantastic game, and it touts an additional 50% more questions than the original Fibbage. Having said that, this game is already included in the first of the Jackbox Party Pack series on the Nintendo Switch, so players might want to weigh the value of this game against that package.
Flipon	Match-3 Puzzle	1-4 Competitive (Local)	A-
tl;dr Flipon is a Match-3 Puzzle game that directly copies the formula of Panel De Pon, and does so extraordinarily well, not only retaining the quality combo-heavy game mechanics of the original, but adding new features like special abilities and 4-player competitive play. It’s only real flaws are a lackluster presentation and a lack of online play. Still, for $6 this is a phenomenal Puzzle game that’s well worth adding to your collection.
Fly Together!	Arcade	1-8 Co-Op / Competitive (Local)	A-
tl;dr Fly Together! Is a family-friendly Arcade-style game like Flight Control, where players control the flight paths of planes as they guide them to airports to deliver passengers. It’s not a new concept, but it’s done exceptionally well here, with particularly great co-op and competitive multiplayer play. The single-player content feels like it could have been fleshed out more, but overall this is an excellent game to add to your rotation of fun multiplayer games on Nintendo Switch.
Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe	Platformer	1-4 Co-Op / Competitive (Local)	A-
tl;dr Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe is a re-release of a family-friendly Platformer that was originally released on the Wii. Multiple elements have been remade or expanded on here, including redone visuals, expanded features, and a really enjoyable new “Magolor Epilogue”. This combines with the original game’s excellent gameplay and great multiplayer to make for a truly excellent game. Unfortunately, the added content here doesn’t quite seem to justify the $60 price tag for a game that’s over a decade old, but if you’re a Platformer fan who never played the original, consider this a must-have.
MLB The Show 22	Sports (Baseball)	1-4 Team Competitive (Local), 2-8 Team Competitive (Online)	A-
tl;dr MLB The Show 22 is a top-notch simulation-style Baseball game, and while it may not have the same graphical prowess on Nintendo’s handheld as it does on other consoles, it still looks and plays great, with a lot of gameplay customization options. It could stand to be a bit more accessible, and it’s absurd how much memory card space you still need to devote to the game even if you have the physical version, but despite these flaws, this is still one of the best Baseball games on Nintendo Switch.
MLB The Show 23	Sports (Baseball)	1-4 Team Competitive (Local), 2-8 Team Competitive (Online)	A-
tl;dr MLB The Show 23 builds on what was already great in MLB The Show 22, making for yet another excellent Simulation-style Baseball game that’s both deep and highly accessible. The new Negro League mode is a great look back into an important cornerstone of the sport’s history, and while it doesn’t quite live up to its full potential, it’s still an excellent addition to the game. I should note that once again, the Nintendo Switch version of the game is a severe visual downgrade from other versions, but if you’re looking for a Baseball game on Nintendo’s handheld, this is definitely one of your best options.
MLB The Show 24	Sports (Baseball)	1-4 Team Competitive (Local), 2-8 Team Competitive (Online)	A-
tl;dr MLB The Show 24 doesn’t seem to change too much from last year’s entry in the series, but it is nevertheless still a truly superb baseball game that is both deep and also highly accessible. All of the graphical and performance issues of prior years’ versions on Nintendo Switch are still present here, and the game’s massive file size is a major consideration in both digital and physical versions of the game, but those whose only gaming platform is Nintendo Switch will still find this a fantastic baseball game.
Pure Pool	Sports (Pool)	1-2 Competitive (Local Alternating / Online Alternating)	A-
tl;dr Pure Pool is quite possibly the best game of Pool I have ever played that didn’t involve picking up a real cue. This game looks absolutely gorgeous, sounds great, plays great, has plenty of content. There are a few areas where I could nitpick – it doesn’t have motion controls, could have used more tutorial content, and players should have been given more control over the camera. But even with these minor issues, this is still an absolutely phenomenal game of Pool at a fantastic price.
Quilts and Cats of Calico	Board Game	1-4 Competitive (Local / Online)	A-
tl;dr Quilts and Cats of Calico is a family-friendly videogame adaptation of the Board Game Calico, and it takes a game with wonderful “easy to learn, tough to master” gameplay and translates it exceptionally well to videogame form, with a good selection of game modes and an outstanding presentation with a lovely soundtrack. If you enjoy Board Games or Puzzles and particularly like “cozy games”, consider this a must-have.
Riptide GP Renegade	Futuristic Racing	1-4 (Local Splitscreen), 2-8 (Online)	A-
tl;dr Riptide GP: Renegade is a futuristic racing game that’s like someone took F-Zero, Wave Race, SSX, and Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit and threw them into a blender. The result is an intense high-speed racing game that, while light on the number of tracks it offers, is nevertheless a fantastic entry in the genre, well worth getting.
Super Mario Party Jamboree	Party Game / Minigame Collection	1-4 Competitive / Cooperative (Local / Online), 2-8 Cooperative (Online), 2-20 Competitive (Online)	A-
tl;dr Super Mario Party Jamboree is, in my opinion, the absolute best that the Mario Party series of family-friendly Party Game and Minigame Collection titles has ever had to offer. This game has an absolute wealth of varied content, gives players the option to cut down on the series’ infamous randomness, and has some delightfully inspired game modes, including some excellent online-focused multiplayer play. Apart from underwhelming single-player (never this series’ focus), there’s little to complain about here, and so very much to love. Going forward, I believe this will be the Mario Party game all future titles in the series will be measured against.
Super Meat Boy	Platformer	1-2 Competitive (Local Splitscreen)	A-
tl;dr Super Meat Boy is a challenging platformer with a great physics engine, superb gameplay, and a generally great presentation, and the Switch version even adds in a nice 2-player mode. But it also doesn’t have the original game’s fantastic soundtrack, and that’s a big loss for an otherwise incredible game.
Super Mega Baseball 3	Sports (Baseball)	1-4 Team Competitive (Local / Online)	A-
tl;dr Super Mega Baseball 3 improves on the previous game with a new franchise mode, customizable pennant races, various small gameplay improvements, and perhaps the best new feature: online cross-play, all while keeping the original game’s excellent deep but accessible family-friendly gameplay. If you’re looking for a baseball game on the Nintendo Switch, this is the one you want… just so long as you don’t mind the cartoony characters and lack of officially-licensed teams and players.
Super Mega Baseball 4	Sports (Baseball)	1-4 Team Competitive (Local / Online)	A-
tl;dr Super Mega Baseball 4 adds real-life retired pro players to its lineup, and makes a few other nice additions, but for the most part this is a game that doesn’t shake things up too much and simply provides us with yet another solid entry in a series known for its superb deep but accessible Baseball gameplay. The load times and aliasing on Nintendo Switch are disappointing, and those who own the prior game in the series may not find there to be quite enough new content here to make it worth an additional purchase, but players who want the best Baseball game on Nintendo Switch will nevertheless find this game to be a contender for that title.
Tetris Effect: Connected	Falling Block Puzzle	1-4 Team Co-Op (Local / Online), 2-4 Competitive + 4 Spectators (Local / Online), Online Leaderboards	A-
tl;dr Tetris Effect: Connected is a version of the classic family-friendly Falling-Block Puzzle Game that gives the game an amazing audiovisual presentation with a fantastic soundtrack and beautiful visuals, a wealth of single-player and multiplayer game modes, and online multiplayer gameplay with cross-play and excellent matchmaking. It’s missing features I’d want to see and it has a few other minor issues, but overall this is quite possibly the best version of Tetris ever made. If you like Puzzle games, you need to own this game.
The Jackbox Party Pack 3	Compilation / Party Games	1-8 Competitive (Local) (4 Recommended)	A-
tl;dr The Jackbox Party Pack 3 is a Collection of Party Games that includes five games that players play using their Smartphone instead of a controller. Of all the Jackbox collections so far, this is my favorite, with three of the games here being absolutely fantastic, and even the worst game here still has some excellent qualities. On top of that, there’s a lot of variety in this package, and some truly great presentation in some of the games here. In short, this is a must-have collection for fans of Party Games.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2	Compilation / Sports (Skateboarding)	1-2 Competitive (Local Split-Screen), 2-4 Competitive (Local Wireless), 2-8 Competitive (Online), Online Content Sharing	A-
tl;dr Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 is a superb Compilation and Remake of the first two highly-celebrated games in the Skateboarding series that updates their gameplay and combines them into one whole cohesive experience while retaining what made them so beloved in the first place. The Nintendo Switch version is a severe downgrade in both graphical fidelity and performance from the versions of the game on more powerful hardware, and if you can get one of those versions, I highly recommend it. However, this is still a very playable version of the game and is otherwise intact and feature-complete, including solid online play. If you’ve been waiting for a great Skateboarding game on Nintendo Switch, this is it.
Ultimate Chicken Horse	Platformer / Party Game	1-4 Competitive (Local, local alternating, Online), Online Leaderboards, Online Content Sharing	A-
tl;dr Ultimate Chicken Horse is a family-friendly Platformer with a robust creation tool set and a focus on multiplayer gameplay that challenges players to create levels that they can beat but the other players can’t. It’s a tremendously good time, and while the presentation and core gameplay aren’t on par with Super Mario Maker 2, the multiplayer in this game is clearly superior, making this a fantastic party game. If you’re looking for a good supplement to Mario Maker or a fun game to bring out at a party, Ultimate Chicken Horse is a must-have.
What the Golf?	Sports (Golf) / Misc.	1-2 Competitive (Local), Online Leaderboards	A-
tl;dr What the Golf? Is a family-friendly game that starts with the basic concept of golf and then re-works it and messes with its basic fundamentals in as many ways as possible. The result is a game with tons of variety, a great sense of humor, and a surprisingly fun multiplayer mode. Definitely worth a try even if you’re not a fan of golf.
Asphalt 9: Legends	Arcade Racing	1-4 Competitive (Local Split-Screen), 2-8 Competitive (Online)	B+
tl;dr Asphalt 9: Legends is a Free-To-Play Arcade Racer that’s bogged down by all sorts of nasty microtransactions, which is a shame because the game underneath all of that is one of the best racing games on the Switch. I’d argue that the microtransactions can be worked around, and since the game is free to play, you should definitely at least give it a try – on balance, I’d argue that the game is definitely worth the hassle.
Astro Bears	Party Game	1-4 Competitive (Local), 2 Co-Op (Local), Online Leaderboards	B+
tl;dr Astro Bears is a family-friendly Party game that expands on the earlier game Astro Bears Party, with the same core gameplay – it plays like a 3D version of Snake and Tron Bikes, with players leaving trails to try to snag others while avoiding trails themselves. It’s a fast-paced, fun, accessible Party game, but even with additional content over its predecessor, the game feels a bit… well, bare. Still loads of fun in short bursts, but not likely to be a game you play for hours.
Boomerang Fu	Top-Down Arcade / Party Game	1-6 Competitive / Team Competitive (Local)	B+
tl;dr Boomerang Fu is a family-friendly Top-Down Arcade-style Party Game where players play as anthropomorphized food items trying to off one another with boomerangs. The core mechanics here are excellent, giving players a lot of nuance and variety while maintaining simple controls that are easy for anyone to pick up. It could use more content, but overall this is an excellent Party Game well worth adding to your collection.
Capcom Fighting Collection	Compilation / Fighting Game	1-2 Competitive (Local), 2-8 Competitive Tournament (Local Wireless), 2-9 Competitive Tournament (Online), Online Leaderboards	B+
tl;dr Capcom Fighting Collection is a Compilation of 10 classic arcade games, mostly Fighting Games. Nearly all of the games in this Compilation are excellent… but nearly all of them are also in the Capcom Arcade Stadium titles. At the very least this Compilation comes with some good features and bonus content. Whether you get the included games in this Compilation or another, they are nevertheless superb Fighting Games, and fans of the genre should consider this Compilation a must-have.
Capcom Fighting Collection 2	Compilation / Fighting Game	1-4 Competitive (Local / Local Wireless / Online)	B+
tl;dr Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is a bundle containing 8 titles, mostly Fighting Games, with Capcom Vs. SNK 1 & 2, Power Stone 1 & 2, Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper, Project Justice, Plasma Sword, and Capcom Fighting Evolution. Most of these games are worth playing, a few of them are fan-favorites or obscure titles you’re not likely to see elsewhere, and there are hardly any duds, plus this bundle has a good array of features for these games. The online lobbies are pretty empty at this point, but if you have friends to play with, I think this bundle is well worth checking out.
Capcom Fighting Collection 1 + 2 Bundle	Compilation / Fighting Game	1-4 Competitive (Local / Local Wireless / Online), 2-8 Competitive Tournament (Local Wireless), 2-9 Competitive Tournament (Online), Online Leaderboards	B+
tl;dr Capcom Fighting Collection 1 + 2 Bundle is a bundle containing two Compilations, all together containing 18 titles, mostly Fighting Games. There are some truly phenomenal games here, and a good variety too, and this bundle does provide a decent value. However, you’ll want to compare and contrast the pricing here with the games available in Capcom Arcade Stadium and Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium, which both offer some of the same titles.
Crawl	Top-Down Action-RPG / Party Game	1-4 Competitive (Local)	B+
tl;dr Crawl blends a Top-Down Action-RPG and a Party Game into a brilliant, original asymmetrical party game that makes for a fun and unique competition that has a clever approach to game balance. The game could have used a traditional campaign mode, and some of the bosses don’t feel as nicely balanced as the rest of the game, but overall this is a fantastic game that should make for a great time at parties.
Disc Jam	Sports (Frisbee)	1-4 Team Competitive (Local, Local Wireless, Online)	B+
tl;dr Disc Jam is a team-based competitive Frisbee game where players try to score goals with a similar structure to Tennis. There’s a bit of a learning curve to getting the hang of the controls and timing, and the online lobbies are empty, but once you adjust for those issues, this game is an absolute blast.
Doom Slayers Collection	Compilation / First-Person Shooter	1-4 Competitive / Co-Op (Local Split-Screen), 2 Co-Op (Online), 2-12 Competitive (Online)	B+
tl;dr Doom Slayers Collection is a Compilation of 5 games in the Doom series, plus all DLC – this is every major release in the series except Doom Eternal. These are some truly great First-Person Shooters, and while I have some complaints about each of them (especially Doom (2016), which I still argue is just not very good on Nintendo Switch), but small gripes aside this is a great deal on a fantastic collection of First-Person Shooters. If you’re a fan of the genre who somehow missed out on the Doom series prior to this, this package should be considered a must-buy.
Duck Game	Action-Platformer / Arcade	1-4 Competitive (Local, Local Wireless, Online)	B+
tl;dr Duck Game is a multiplayer-focused Arcade-style Action-Platformer where players control ducks looking for weapons to kill each other. The fast, frenetic action here is delightful, and while I do have a few complaints, overall this is a superb game for anyone looking to add a great competitive multiplayer game to their Nintendo Switch library.
Find the Balance	Puzzle	1-2 Competitive (Local / Local Split-Screen)	B+
tl;dr Find the Balance is a family-friendly physics-based Puzzle game where players must stack numerous objects without them falling. While this game doesn’t have the nice presentation or some of the features of Art of Balance, it makes up for it with a good variety of game modes, including an excellent Endless mode. If you’re looking for a good, inexpensive Puzzle game, this is well worth trying.
Get Packed: Couch Chaos		1-4 Co-Op / Competitive (Local)	B+
tl;dr Get Packed is a family-friendly Top-Down Arcade / Party Game that has players scrambling to remove items from a property and toss them into a moving truck. The co-op gameplay here is good, but lacking content in a way that ensures it won’t last long. The competitive gameplay, on the other hand, is delightful enough to earn this game a proper spot in your Party Game rotation.
GRID Autosport	Racing Simulation	1-2 Competitive (Local Split-Screen), 2-8 Competitive (Local Wireless, Online)	B+
tl;dr GRID Autosport is a port of a 2014 Racing Sim that improves the graphics over the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions, as well as adding a huge variety of options and different ways to play. This was already a solid Racing Sim before, and the improvements almost make this the definitive version, although the lack of analog triggers on most Nintendo Switch controllers are one noteworthy flaw (though one you can address with a GameCube controller if you have the adapter). Otherwise, this is an all-around excellent Racing Sim, and currently the best game in the genre on the Switch, a deserving honor even if there’s not much competition for that honor right now.
Hidden in Plain Sight	Stealth / Party Game	2-4 Competitive / Team Competitive (Local)	B+
tl;dr Hidden in Plain Sight is a Stealth-focused Party Game where players try to figure out which character in a crowd they and their opponents are before everyone else does while performing a simple task. This game doesn’t look like much, but it’s extremely accessible and loads of fun for both veteran gamers and casual gamers alike. If you want a fun, unique Party game to add to your collection, consider this game a must-have.
Home Sheep Home: Farmageddon Party Edition	Puzzle-Platformer / Platformer / Party Game	1-3 Co-Op (Local), 2-4 Competitive (Local)	B+
tl;dr Home Sheep Home is a family-friendly co-op Puzzle-Platformer and Party Game based on the Shaun the Sheep animated series and films. This game manages to do a great job with all of its disparate elements – the license is scaled-down somewhat, but what’s here does justice to the franchise. The Puzzle-Platformer content is smartly well-crafted, and the Party Game content is fun and varied enough to keep players entertained for a good while. I have some issues with the core Platformer mechanics here, but overall this is an excellent package that does its best to please everyone, and largely succeeds.
Killer Queen Black	Action-Platformer / Arcade	1-8 Team Co-Op (Local, Local Wireless or Online)	B+
tl;dr Killer Queen Black is a team-based multiplayer Action-Platformer where eight players compete to see which team is the first to complete one of three goals. It’s amazing fun when it works, though there’s a terrible lack of options and occasional frustrations that make this a lesser game than it could have been.
Lethal League Blaze	Sports (Dodgeball) / Fighting Game / Party Game	1-4 Competitive (Local / Online)	B+
tl;dr Lethal League Blaze is a mishmash of genres that combines dodge ball with Fighting Game and Party Game elements to craft something truly unique, with a stylish cel-shaded presentation. It could do with more content, and I really wish the online servers weren’t deserted, but if you have a group of players on your couch to share this with, you’ll be in for a great time.
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics	Compilation / Fighting Game	1-2 Competitive (Local, Local Wireless, Online), 2 Co-Op (Local, Local Wireless), 7 Spectators (Online), Online Leaderboards	B+
tl;dr Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a Compilation of seven games, mostly in the Fighting Game genre. Almost all of these games are great, but there’s little reason to play the earlier games when this bundle lets you play Marvel vs. Capcom 1 & 2 instead. Add in Arcade Brawler The Punisher, and it really seems like this is a bundle of three games you’ll play and four you’ll probably never go back to. However, the games are so great, with excellent features, superb online play, and an impressive gallery of extra content, that it still makes this a must-have collection for any Fighting Game fan.
Melty Blood: Type Lumina	Fighting Game	1-2 Competitive (Local), 2-8 Competitive (Online)	B+
tl;dr Melty Blood: Type Lumina is a Fighting Game set in the Tsukihime universe with 2D pixel art with wonderfully fluid animation, and gameplay that is similarly fluid and highly-accessible. I would have liked a bit more character variety, but overall this is a game that Fighting Game fans on Nintendo Switch should absolutely have in their game library.
N++	Platformer	1-4 Co-Op / Competitive (Local), Online Content Sharing, Online Leaderboards	B+
tl;dr N++ is a challenging Platformer with extremely simple graphics that has you as a ninja in single-screen levels trying to hit a switch and reach the exit before time runs out. The way movement works in this game is the real star of the show here, making for some truly excellent gameplay, and this game is absolutely loaded with content and game modes, including a stage builder and online community to download stages from. However, this is a challenging game that won’t appeal to everyone, and the game’s menus and stage builder aren’t very user-friendly. Still, if you’re looking for pure Platforming challenge, this game is a must-have.
Nintendo Switch Sports	Compilation / Sports (Various)	1-4 Team Competitive (Local Split-Screen, Local Wireless), 2-16 Competitive / Team Competitive (Online)	B+
tl;dr Nintendo Switch Sports is a worthy successor to the Wii Sports franchise, with excellent versions of Bowling, Chambara (swordfighting), Golf, and Soccer, decent versions of Tennis and Volleyball, and a terrible version of Badminton. The game is colorful and polished, the sports are fun and accessible, and the online play works great. This game doesn’t do much to evolve this series, but it is a well-rounded and highly enjoyable entry in the series nonetheless.
Persona 4 Arena Ultimax	Fighting Game	1-2 Competitive (Local), 2-8 Competitive Tournament (Online)	B+
tl;dr Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is a Fighting Game with a roster of characters from Persona 3 and 4, as well as having some clever gameplay mechanics inspired by the Persona franchise. On top of this, the game looks and sounds great, with wonderfully well-animated visuals and a catchy soundtrack. It’s unfortunate that the online lobbies are empty, and the game’s multi-button moves make for a steep learning curve for those who want to master the game, but even with these issues, this is still a must-have for Fighting Game fans.
Pix the Cat	Puzzle / Arcade	1-4 Competitive (Local), Online Leaderboards	B+
tl;dr Pix the Cat is a game with Puzzle and Arcade elements that combines the gameplay of Pac-Man and Snake with a really good presentation and a lot of variety across the game’s four modes. It’s a bit on the difficult side, and I feel like a few additions could have made for a huge improvement, but overall this is an excellent game well worth giving a look.
Puyo Puyo Tetris	Match-4 Falling Block Puzzle	1-4 Competitive (Local, Local Wireless, Online), Online Leaderboards	B+
tl;dr Puyo Puyo Tetris is a Match-4 Falling Block Puzzle game that combines these two genre classics into one wonderful cohesive package that mixes the two in multiple interesting ways. While I wish there were improvements made in the way things are organized in menus and in the presentation, on the whole this is a fantastic Puzzle game that fans of the genre should definitely check out.
Puzzle Bobble 2X/Bust-a-Move 2 Arcade Edition & Puzzle Bobble 3/Bust-a-Move 3 S-Tribute	Compilation / Match-3 Puzzle	1-2 Competitive (Local)	B+
tl;dr This Compilation, which I’m just calling Puzzle Bobble 2X/3 for brevity’s sake, contains those two Puzzle games where players aim colored bubbles at other bubbles to match and clear them. This package has a good amount of content and decent features, and while it’s still lacking a few features we’ve come to expect from other games in this style, it is nevertheless an exceptional pair of Puzzle games well worth picking up.
Radical Rabbit Stew	Arcade / Puzzle	1-4 Competitive (Local)	B+
tl;dr Radical Rabbit Stew is a family-friendly top-down Arcade-style game with Puzzle elements where players need to knock rabbits into cooking pot-shaped spaceships. It’s a fun and refreshingly unique game with some great old-school sensibilities, and the competitive multiplayer here is a lot of fun too. Unfortunately, that multiplayer is lacking in content, and the limited use of a stage builder feels like a huge missed opportunity too. This is still overall an excellent game, but it feels like a bit of added content here would have made it an absolute must-have.
Samba De Amigo: Party Central	Music-Rhythm / Exercise	1-2 Team Competitive (Local) / 2-8 Competitive (Online)	B+
tl;dr Samba De Amigo: Party Central is a Music-Rhythm game with Exercise Game elements has players shaking the Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons like maracas. The controls are a bit sloppy and lacking in precision, but they work well enough, and otherwise this is a truly joyous game with great music, great style, and fun gameplay that will have you sweating it out as you dance. Music-Rhythm fans with a Nintendo Switch will definitely want to grab this one.
Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection	Compilation / Fighting Game	1-2 Competitive (Local), 2-8 Competitive Tournament (Local Wireless), 2-4 Competitive Tournament (Online), Online Leaderboards	B+
tl;dr Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection is a collection of four to twelve Fighting games, depending on how you count: Street Fighter, five versions of Street Fighter II, Street Fighter Alpha 1-3, and three versions of Street Fighter III. It’s a sizable collection, and it comes with a sizable number of extras, all for an excellent price of $30. Unfortunately, it’s missing Street Fighter Alpha 3 Max and Upper, as well as Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, and the online play is awful, major flaws that mar this otherwise impeccable collection.
Super Mario Party	Party Game / Minigame Collection	1-4 Competitive / Team Competitive / Cooperative (Local / Online)	B+
tl;dr Super Mario Party is the eleventh game in Nintendo’s family-friendly Party Game Minigame Collection series. This game has a ton of different game modes, and while some aren’t so great, others are fantastic. The minigames themselves are fun, varied, and make some clever use of the Joy-Con controller. On that note, you will need Joy-Cons to play this game, and don’t bother with the online play (it’s horrible). Likewise, this isn’t a game you’ll want to play in single-player. However, if you’re looking for a fun time in a party setting, this game does a fantastic job and is a must-have for casual multiplayer fans on the switch.
Super Mega Baseball 2: Ultimate Edition	Sports (Baseball)	1-4 Team Competitive (Local / Online)	B+
tl;dr Super Mega Baseball 2 is a Baseball game with a cartoony appearance that hides robust gameplay that does a good job catering both to casual players as well as more serious fans of the sport, with good options and excellent support for multiplayer play both online and off. It doesn’t have the real-life license or teams, and you’re not likely to find strangers to play with online, but if you’re looking for a baseball game on the Nintendo Switch, this is the one to get.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania	Compilation / Arcade / Party game	1-4 Competitive (Local, Local Split-Screen, Local Alternating), Online Leaderboards	B+
tl;dr Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania is an Arcade-style game that compiles all of the content of Super Monkey Ball 1, 2, and Deluxe into one cohesive package with remastered visuals, a new soundtrack, new features, and all of the great multiplayer Party games that were in the original releases. It doesn’t do anything especially new or transformative, but it does an excellent job of recapturing the magic that made people fall in love with this series in the first place two decades ago.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble	Arcade / 3D Platformer / Party Game	1-2 Co-Op (Local Split-Screen / Local Wireless / Online), 2-4 Competitive (Local Split-Screen / Local Wireless), 2-16 Competitive (Online)	B+
tl;dr Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble is a fantastic entry in this family-friendly franchise of Arcade-style 3D Platformers about rolling monkeys in balls toward a goal. This release struggles with some performance issues, but its superb level design and excellent multiplayer both online and offline make for an absolutely delightful game well worth getting, and a must-have for fans of the series.
Super Tennis Blast	Sports (Tennis)	1-4 Team Competitive (Local)	B+
tl;dr Super Tennis Blast is a family-friendly, slightly-cartoony tennis game with wonderful gameplay and plenty of great content and options. The visuals are simple, the animation is ugly, and the game lacks motion controls and online play, but everything else is so top-notch that those flaws are easily forgiven. Without a doubt one of the best Tennis games on the Nintendo Switch.
Taiko No Tatsujin: Drum ‘N’ Fun	Music-Rhythm	1-4 Competitive (Local, Local Wireless), 2 Co-Op (Local), 2 Competitive (Online)	B+
tl;dr Taiko No Tatsujin: Drum ‘N’ Fun is the first Nintendo Switch entry in Namco’s family-friendly Japanese taiko drumming Music-Rhythm game series. Be warned that if you don’t by the taiko drum accessory, the motion controls are terrible, and the gamepad controls lack a soul, but the touchscreen controls are excellent and the “Party Game” mode makes for great gameplay in the same vein as Rhythm Heaven. This game’s cutesy, Japanesey presentation won’t be for everyone, but if you can work around its flaws, Taiko No Tatsujin: Drum ‘N’ Fun is a solid addition to your Nintendo Switch Music-Rhythm library.
Tetris Forever	Compilation / Falling-Block Puzzle	1-4 Competitive (Local)	B+
tl;dr Tetris Forever is neither a comprehensive collection of Tetris games, nor does it contain the absolute best versions of Tetris among its 17 included games, some of which are very similar to each other, and nearly all of which are family-friendly Falling Block Puzzle games bearing the Tetris name, making this Compilation feel very one-note. However, what’s here is still a compelling mix of different takes on the classic Puzzle game, along with a truly excellent guided tour through the early history of Tetris’ rise to success. Puzzle Game fans and those with a fascination with videogame history should both consider this Compilation a must-have.
The Jackbox Party Pack	Compilation / Party Games	1-100 Competitive (Local) (4 Recommended)	B+
tl;dr The Jackbox Party Pack is a Collection of mostly Trivia-focused Party Games that includes five games that players play using their Smartphone instead of a controller. Two of the games in this collection are phenomenal, and only one of the games here isn’t worth trying. Plus, many of the games included here represent some of Jackbox’s most iconic series, making this first collection one of the best packages they’ve released. All in all, this is a fantastic Party game well worth getting.
The Jackbox Party Pack 2	Compilation / Party Games	1-4 Co-Op (Local), 2-8 Competitive (Local) (4 Recommended)	B+
tl;dr The Jackbox Party Pack 2 is a Collection of Party Games that includes five games that players play using their Smartphone instead of a controller. Two of the games in this collection are fantastic, and only one of the games here isn’t worth trying. Overall, the games in this collection aren’t quite as good as what was in the first Party Pack, but there’s more variety here and this is still a superb collection of Party Games.
Tricky Towers	Falling Block Puzzle	1-4 Competitive (Local, Online), Online Leaderboards	B+
tl;dr Tricky Towers is a family-friendly physics-based falling block puzzle game where players try to balance and stack blocks to accomplish a specific goal. While the game could have used more content and options, overall this is a good entry in the genre, especially in local multiplayer mode.
WarioWare: Get It Together!	Arcade / Party Game	1-4 Competitive / Co-Op (Local)	B+
tl;dr WarioWare: Get It Together! Is the Nintendo Switch entry in the family-friendly Arcade-style Party game that has players trying to complete over 200 “microgames” played in rapid-fire sequences. This game’s take on the formula has players interacting with the games using the varied cast of characters, and while not as ambitious as some entries in the series, it’s still a wonderfully fun time, especially when playing the game’s multiplayer features (most of which need to be unlocked through play). If you’re looking for a fun game to add to your Party Game rotation, WarioWare: Get It Together is an excellent choice.
WarioWare: Move It!	Arcade / Party Game	1-2 Co-Op (Local) / 2-4 Competitive (Local)	B+
tl;dr WarioWare: Move It! Is the second game in Nintendo’s silly family-friendly WarioWare Arcade / Party Game franchise to hit the Nintendo Switch, and this is a much more traditional entry in the series than the first game was. In fact, it was clearly directly inspired by the Wii entry in the franchise, Smooth Moves. While I don’t think it quite measures up to that game, WarioWare: Move It! is still an incredibly creative, enjoyable, uproariously funny, and extremely accessible entry in the franchise, with some solid multiplayer potential. This game doesn’t do anything truly groundbreaking for this series, but fans of the franchise will find it to be an excellent game well worth picking up.
ACA NEOGEO Puzzle Bobble 2	Match-3 Puzzle	1-2 Competitive (Local), Online Leaderboards	B
tl;dr Puzzle Bobble 2 is a Match-3 Puzzle game where players aim colored bubbles at other bubbles to match and clear them. This is a huge improvement over the first game, though it still lacks features modern players may be used to from this style of game, and it is sorely lacking in content compared to the Puzzle Bobble 2X/3 bundle also available on Nintendo Switch. Still, while it may not be the best version of this game, it is still a superb Puzzle game.
ACA NEOGEO Samurai Shodown V Special	Fighting Game	1-2 Competitive (Local / Online), Online Leaderboards	B
tl;dr Samurai Shodown V Special is a Fighting Game that fixes much of what was wrong in Samurai Shodown V, expands the roster, and restores the violence of earlier games. The result is a game that, while still somewhat simple compared to modern Fighting Games, is still quite enjoyable even by today’s standards. That said, this release lacks control options and bonus content in the Samurai Shodown NEOGEO Collection, so you may want to consider getting that bundle instead. However, if you’re just looking to buy the one game, this is a very good choice.
Battleship	Strategy / Board Game	1-2 Competitive (Local, Online)	B
tl;dr Battleship is a digital version of the classic family-friendly 2-player board game, and it does a very good job of bringing that classic gameplay to the Nintendo Switch, with a good selection of multiplayer modes. It also has a Commanders mode that livens things up some. I wish this game was even more inventive with its departure from the classic formula, and in particular I wish the game’s single-player mode wasn’t a slog, but overall this is a solid version of the classic board game.
BlazBlue Centralfiction Special Edition	Fighting Game	1-2 Competitive (Local / Online)	B
tl;dr BlazBlue Centralfiction is a 2D Fighting game with deeper and more complex mechanics than BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle, a great presentation, and overall a lot of quality. Be aware that the online lobbies are largely empty, the “story” mode makes zero sense and has characters talking far more than they’re fighting, and the gameplay may be a bit imposing to newcomers, but genre fans should absolutely give this game a look.
Blizzard Arcade Collection	Compilation / Top-Down Racing / Puzzle-Platformer / Action-Platformer	1-4 Competitive (Local), 2-3 Co-Op (Local)	B
tl;dr Blizzard Arcade Collection is a Compilation of five of Blizzard’s early console games. A few of the games here have aged poorly, but Lost Vikings 1 & 2 are still great Puzzle-Platformers, and Rock ‘N’ Roll Racing is still a superb Top-Down Racing game. What’s more, the improvements made to multiple games in this Compilation ensure that these truly are the definitive versions of these games, and there’s plenty of great bonus content here as well. For the price tag of $20, this is an absolute steal, well worth a look for fans of classic games, or those curious to see games from Blizzard’s early days.
BurgerTime Party!	Arcade / Party Game	1-4 Co-Op / Competitive (Local)	B
tl;dr BurgerTime Party! is a family-friendly reimagining of the classic arcade game that updates the visuals and adds some new stage mechanics, while keeping the core gameplay intact. However, the real joy here are the new multiplayer modes this game adds, that should make this a blast as both a co-op and competitive Party game. Either way, this is a wonderful new take on the original.
Chess Ultra	Board Game	1-2 Competitive (Local, Online)	B
tl;dr Chess Ultra is a version of the classic Board Game with nice, realistic graphics and classy music, though I find myself wishing for more options when it comes to that presentation, which can even make it difficult to see the pieces sometimes. On the bright side, there’s a good amount of content here, and overall this is a solid game of chess, despite these issues.
Conga Master Party!	Arcade / Party Game	1-4 Competitive (Local), 2 Co-Op (Local)	B
tl;dr Conga Master Party is a family-friendly Arcade-style game that has you moving through partygoers trying to attract people to your conga line. Its simple gameplay and fun presentation hides a surprising amount of strategy in its gameplay, as well as a wealth of multiplayer content, including some exclusive to the Switch version. I wish there were a bit more depth, and the game’s random elements can be a bit frustrating, but overall this is a superb game to pick up if you’re looking for something simple and fun, especially if you want to play with a group.
Cruis’n Blast	Arcade Racing	1-4 Competitive Split-Screen (Local, Local Wireless)	B
tl;dr Cruis’n Blast is a family-friendly Arcade-style Racing game that plays like a roller coaster ride, with every second of gameplay packed with thrills and eye-popping sights to see, but with extremely shallow gameplay. This is still a magnificently fun experience to play, and perhaps the perfect game for younger racing game fans, but not everyone will appreciate this game’s dedication to magnificent spectacle above all else.
Doom (1993)	First-Person Shooter	1-4 Competitive / Co-Op (Local Split-Screen)	B
tl;dr Doom (1993) is the First-Person Shooter that more or less kick-started the genre in the first place, and after the game’s initial problems were patched out, the Switch version plays beautifully. That said, there are definitely elements of the game that have aged poorly, and the lack of online multiplayer in particular is disappointing. Still, this game is a legend, and this is a superb port, so fans of the genre have reason to celebrate.
Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R	Fighting Game	1-2 Competitive (Local), 2-6 Team Competitive (Online)	B
tl;dr Guilty Gear is XX Accent Core Plus R is the definitive version of an excellent, albeit slightly dated, 2D Fighting game. This may be a bit too technical for newer players, but genre fans should definitely give it a look.
Horizon Chase 2	Arcade Racing	1-4 Competitive (Local Split-Screen / Online)	B
tl;dr Horizon Chase 2 is an Arcade-style Racing game that once again aims to capture the spirit of classic games in the genre like Out Run, and this time around the game drops some of the frustrating elements from its predecessor to make for a polished, well-crafted experience that plays well, but doesn’t do much to distinguish itself or leave much of a lasting impression. Still, if you’re craving old-school Arcade racing fun, I do not think this game will disappoint.
Hot Wheels Unleashed	Arcade Racing	1-2 Competitive (Local Split-Screen), 2-12 Competitive (Online)	B
tl;dr Hot Wheels Unleashed is an Arcade-style racing game featuring cars and tracks based on the well-known toy franchise. The game is content-poor, includes some concerning monetization, and the track builder is frustratingly difficult to work with, but the core racing gameplay is fun, and both online and local multiplayer are excellent. If you’re looking to add a fun, fast-paced racer to your Nintendo Switch collection, this is a good choice.
Hotshot Racing	Arcade Racing	1-4 Competitive (Local Split-Screen), 2-8 Competitive (Local Wireless, Online), Online Leaderboards	B
tl;dr Hotshot Racing is a retro-styled Arcade Racer that’s designed to evoke classics like Daytona USA, and it largely succeeds, with excellent gameplay and wonderful multiplayer play. Unfortunately, this otherwise excellent nostalgia piece is harmed by a lack of variety in its tracks, as well as some atrocious rubber-banding. It’s still fun, but these flaws keep it from true retro greatness.
Hyper Jam	Top-Down Action / Party Game	1-4 Competitive / Team Competitive (Local, Online)	B
tl;dr Hyper Jam is a multiplayer-focused arena-based Top-Down Action Game that has up to four players fighting it out in a cyberpunk setting. The action here is excellent, and although the game is lacking somewhat in options and weapon variety, it makes up for it by handing out random upgrades between matches that ensure each match is different. I would love to see this game expanded upon, but as-is this is a fantastic action-packed Party Game well worth adding to your collection.
Instant Tennis	Sports (Tennis)	1-2 Competitive (Local), 2-8 (Local Tournament)	B
tl;dr Instant Tennis is a cartoony, family-friendly Tennis game that offers multiple ways to play – both with traditional and motion-control, and surprisingly they’re all pretty good. The presentation is a bit plain and the game is bare-bones when it comes to content, but if you’re looking for solid Tennis gameplay well-suited to all types of players, Instant Tennis absolutely delivers.
Mario Strikers: Battle League	Sports (Soccer)	1-8 Team Competitive (Local, Local Wireless, Online)	B
tl;dr Mario Strikers: Battle League is a Soccer game starring Mario and friends that has a wild presentation, a fantastic metal-infused soundtrack, and solid gameplay. Underneath all the flash and substance is somewhat lacking variety, but other than that this is an excellent game of Soccer.
Move or Die: Unleashed	Platformer / Party Game	1-4 Competitive (Local, Local Wireless, Online)	B
tl;dr Move or Die: Unleashed is a Platformer and Party Game built around a simple concept – your character must constantly keep moving along the ground or lose health. However, what makes this really special is the huge wealth of fun game modes and unlockables, the wonderfully fast pace, the killer soundtrack and the hilarious announcer. It has a few issues with its online, but overall, if you’re looking to add a game to your Party Game list, definitely give this one a look.
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl	Fighting Game / Platformer / Party Game	1-4 Competitive (Local / Online)	B
tl;dr Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl is a game that combines Fighting Game, Platformer, and Party Game elements much like the Super Smash Bros. series, but featuring Nickelodeon characters like SpongeBob SquarePants, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and the Ninja Turtles. The gameplay and presentation is overall decent, but also feels lacking in some areas, has nasty loading times, and some odd choices have been made with the art direction. Overall this is still a solid entry in the genre, and well worth picking up when the game goes on sale for $5.
Pokken Tournament DX	2D Fighting Game / 3D Fighting Game	1-2 Competitive (Local Splitscreen, Local Wireless, Online)	B
tl;dr Pokken Tournament DX is a Fighting game featuring Pokemon characters, and a unique mechanic that has the gameplay shifting back and forth between 2D and 3D styles. Unfortunately, these shifts cause a lot of chaos and inconsistency, and make this game a bit less friendly to newcomers who might otherwise find the Pokemon franchise inviting. It’s still well worth a look from fans of Fighting games though.
Puyo Puyo Champions	Match-4 Falling Block Puzzle	1-4 Competitive (Local, Local Wireless, Online), Online Leaderboards	B
tl;dr Puyo Puyo Champions is a Match-4 Falling Block Puzzle game in the long-running series that includes both Puyo Puyo 2 and Puyo Puyo Fever game modes. There’s an uneven selection of features, and there’s not much here for gamers who already own Puyo Puyo Tetris, but this is a solid Puzzle game, regardless.
Quake	First-Person Shooter	1-4 Co-Op / Competitive (Local Split-Screen), 2-8 Co-Op / Competitive (Online)	B
tl;dr Quake’s release on the Nintendo Switch is a phenomenal port that takes the classic First-Person Shooter gives the visuals an improved framerate and resolution, includes a wealth of features, options, and content, and even some superb gyroscopic motion controls. This is still a port of a very old game, which shows both in its graphics and its gameplay, meaning this will absolutely not be a game for everyone. However, if you’re looking for classic, fast-paced old-school action, this is possibly the best port we could have possibly hoped for of this game.
Quiplash	Party Game	3-8 Competitive (Local)	B
tl;dr Quiplash is a Party Game where players try to create a funny answer in response to a prompt, with the other players voting on the answer they like best. This is a pretty fun game that makes for a lot of amusing answers, well worth bringing out at parties, especially for Cards Against Humanity fans. Having said that, a better version of this game is already included in the second of the Jackbox Party Pack series on the Nintendo Switch, so players might want to weigh the value of this game against that package.
Retrograde Arena	2-Stick Shooter	1-4 Competitive (Local), 2-6 Competitive (Online)	B
tl;dr Retrograde Arena is a free-to-play multiplayer arena-based Two-Stick Shooter where players must push enemies into red walls with gunfire rather than damaging them directly. The game’s unique physics take some getting used to, but once you do you’ll find some surprising depth, and the free price tag makes this a game you should absolutely try.
RiffTrax: The Game	Party Game	1-6 Competitive (Local, Online)	B
tl;dr RiffTrax: The Game is a sequel to What the Dub?!, a Party Game that has players using smartphones or other web-enabled devices to submit lines to be read via voiceover over old video clips, and then voting on which line was their favorite. This game adds to the formula a new game mode, computer-controlled bots, and online play, and while all of these new features are something of a mixed bag, they’re all optional and it’s still nice to have them here. Ultimately this is still an improvement on the previous game, and well worth adding to your Party Game list.
Rubber Bandits	Top-Down Arcade / Party Game	1-4 Co-Op / Competitive (Local), 2-4 Competitive (Online)	B
tl;dr Rubber Bandits is a family-friendly Top-Down Arcade / Party Game that has players fighting one another as goofy bandits with rubbery appendages. The sloppy gameplay is both good and bad, but the excellent variety in levels and game modes make this a great game to bring out at parties. Just don’t expect to get the same experience from the game’s online play.
Samurai Shodown NEOGEO Collection	Compilation / Fighting Game	1-2 Competitive (Local / Online), Online Leaderboards	B
tl;dr Samurai Shodown NEOGEO Collection is a Compilation containing Samurai Shodown, Samurai Shodown II, Samurai Shodown III, Samurai Shodown IV, Samurai Shodown V, Samurai Shodown V Special, and exclusive to this bundle, Samurai Shodown V Perfect. These games are a bit dated compared to modern Fighting Games, but they have their charms, and multiple games in the series are different enough that they’re still worth playing separately, plus this bundle comes with plenty of extra content, as well as some extremely nice control options. Just be sure that if you’re getting this, you get the physical version, as the videos included here bloat the file size quite a lot.
Super Crazy Rhythm Castle	Music-Rhythm / Party Game	1-4 Competitive / Co-Op (Local / Online)	B
tl;dr Super Crazy Rhythm Castle is a game that combines family-friendly Music-Rhythm gameplay with a variety of wacky and unpredictable Party Game elements to create something that aims to subvert the norms of the genre. The creativity and unpredictable nature of the game is delightful, but while it often creates fantastic gameplay, it also frequently becomes tedious or annoying, especially if you wanted to play a more traditional Music-Rhythm game. As such, this game won’t be for everyone, but those looking for something different will likely get a kick out of it.
Swords & Soldiers II: Schawarmageddon	Tower Defense	1-2 Competitive (Local Split-Screen / Online)	B
tl;dr Swords & Soldiers II, like the first game, is a side-scrolling Tower Defense game that has you managing resources, commissioning troops, and competing with an opposing army. However, this time around, the game improves on its predecessor in virtually every way, addressing most (but not all) of the issues I had with the first game and adding a wealth of extra features. While there’s still room for improvement here, overall this is a solid Tower Defense game well worth playing.
The Jackbox Party Pack 5	Compilation / Party Games	1-6 Co-Op (Local) 2-8 Competitive (Local) (4 Recommended)	B
tl;dr The Jackbox Party Pack 5 is a Collection of Party Games that includes five games that players play using their Smartphone instead of a controller. This is probably the most average collection Jackbox has produced, with five games that are all good but not great, or else games that could have been great, but are held back by a flaw that renders them “decent but could have been better”. Even so, if you’re looking for a good Party Game collection, this package is all around well worth playing.
Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late(cl-r)	Fighting Game	1-2 Competitive (Local), 2-8 Competitive (Online Tournament), Online Leaderboards	B
tl;dr Under Night In-Birth is a fast-paced anime-style Fighting Game with good variety and a decent mix of depth and accessibility, although newer players may find it just a bit intimidating. Overall though, it’s a solid entry in the genre, as long as you can overlook the completely abandoned online lobbies.
Windjammers	Sports (Frisbee)	1-2 Competitive (Local, Online), Online Leaderboards	B
tl;dr Windjammers is a competitive 1v1 sports game with discs that plays somewhat like Pong. Originally released in arcades and on the NEOGEO in 1994, the game holds up well today, and the addition of online play is a good compliment to this style of gameplay.
Worms W.M.D.	Strategy / Party Game	1-6 Competitive (Local, Online)	B
tl;dr Worms W.M.D. brings a slew of new features to the series, but for the most part this is more of the same classic multiplayer-focused Strategy gameplay that the series has been known for. Just be warned if you’re getting this in digital format – this game is an absurd 4.9GB big.
Wrestledunk Sports	Sports (Various) / Platformer / Party Game	1-8 Team Competitive (Local / Online)	B
tl;dr Wrestledunk Sports is a family-friendly Sports-themed multiplayer-focused Platformer and Party Game with five simplified “sports” (both real and fictional): Wrestling, fencing, volleyball, “smashball”, and “megatonk”. These are all fairly simple, yet a surprising amount of fun. This collection could have used even more games, and it has less potential now that the online lobbies are empty, but this is still an excellent Party Game worth adding to your party game playlist.
ACA NEOGEO Samurai Shodown II	Fighting Game	1-2 Competitive (Local / Online), Online Leaderboards	B-
tl;dr Samurai Shodown II is a Fighting Game that is a huge improvement over the previous game, with better controls, an expanded character roster, and new gameplay mechanics. It’s still not quite on par with modern Fighting Games, but this is still a solid entry in the genre. However, this release lacks control options and bonus content in the Samurai Shodown NEOGEO Collection, so you may want to consider getting that bundle instead. However, if you’re just looking to buy the one game, this is a pretty decent choice.
ACA NEOGEO Samurai Shodown III	Fighting Game	1-2 Competitive (Local / Online), Online Leaderboards	B-
tl;dr Samurai Shodown III is a Fighting Game that changes up its control scheme and reduces the character roster but makes up for it by adding alternate versions of every character. The result is a mixed bag that some will like more than others, and it still doesn’t quite compare to modern games in the genre. Also, this release lacks control options and bonus content in the Samurai Shodown NEOGEO Collection, so you may want to consider getting that bundle instead. However, if you’re just looking to buy the one game, this is a pretty decent choice.
ACA NEOGEO Samurai Shodown IV	Fighting Game	1-2 Competitive (Local / Online), Online Leaderboards	B-
tl;dr Samurai Shodown IV is a Fighting Game that tweaks a few things from Samurai Shodown III and expands the roster of characters to 17. It’s still not on par with modern Fighting Games, and it’s not a huge leap over the previous game, but this is nevertheless an enjoyable entry in the genre, even today. That said, this release lacks control options and bonus content in the Samurai Shodown NEOGEO Collection, so you may want to consider getting that bundle instead. However, if you’re just looking to buy the one game, this is a pretty decent choice.
Chess Royal	Board Game	1-2 Competitive (Local Alternating)	B-
tl;dr Chess Royal is a bargain-priced version of the classic Board Game. It doesn’t have online play or a proper tutorial, but it’s a solid game of chess with an absolute ton of chess puzzles to solve. For $3, this is an absolute steal.
Disney Speedstorm	Kart Racing	1-2 Competitive (Local Split-Screen), 2-8 Competitive (Online)	B-
tl;dr Disney Speedstorm is a free-to-play Kart Racing game featuring high-tech races with courses and racers inspired by classic Disney franchises. I have some issues with the microtransactions here, the lack of courses, the rubber-banding, and the Nintendo Switch version definitely suffers a graphical downgrade from other versions of the game… but despite those numerous flaws, this is still a wonderfully fun, fast-paced racing game with an outstanding presentation and a great soundtrack. As long as you can tolerate this game’s flaws, I think you’ll find it to be a great addition to your Racing game collection.
Doom II (Classic)	First-Person Shooter	1-4 Competitive / Co-Op (Local Split-Screen)	B-
tl;dr Doom II is a First-Person Shooter that follows directly in the footsteps of the first Doom, and after the game’s initial problems were patched out, the Switch version plays beautifully. That said, there are definitely elements of the game that have aged poorly, and the lack of online multiplayer in particular is disappointing. Plus, it’s hard to ignore the fact that this game is largely a retread of ground broken in the original Doom. Still, this is nevertheless a solid port of a classic well worth playing.
Doom + Doom II	Compilation / First-Person Shooter	1-4 Competitive / Co-Op (Local Split-Screen)	B-
tl;dr Doom + Doom II is a Compilation containing the two named games, both First-Person Shooters from the 1990s, with the first being arguably the most influential First-Person Shooter of all time. The two games are still enjoyable today, but this bundle won’t save you a single penny off the separate prices of these games – in fact, it will cost you an extra penny. There are other Doom bundles that can provide more of a savings than this, but I suppose if you want the first two Doom games, and only those two games, this bundle is a sufficient way to get them.
Fantasy Strike	Fighting Game	1-2 Competitive (Local / Online)	B-
tl;dr Fantasy Strike is a free-to-play Fighting game that strips the genre down to its basics in a way that’s really refreshing and inspired take on how the genre works, with a solid presentation and some really inventive characters. Having said that, the online play here is a mess, and the lack of features in the free version of the game really limits how much you’ll want to play it unless you buy into the game’s expansion content. It’s still well worth giving a try, but keep your expectations in check.
Horizon Chase Turbo	Arcade Racing	1-4 Competitive (Local Splitscreen)	B-
tl;dr Horizon Chase Turbo is a modernization of classic arcade-style Racing games like Outrun, and it delivers a fantastic modern retro experience that does justice to those old classics. That said, it retains much of the gameplay of those old games as well, and that gameplay hasn’t aged as well as the nostalgia surrounding these games.
Kirby’s Dream Buffet	Party Game	1-2 Competitive (Local Split-Screen), 2-4 Competitive (Local Wireless, Online)	B-
tl;dr Kirby’s Dream Buffet is a family-friendly Party Game where players compete as tiny Kirbys trying to eat the most berries in giant-sized, food-themed areas. The presentation here is absolutely delicious, and the core gameplay is fun, although it’s a bit light on content and the lack of 4-player local play is disappointing. Still, if you’re looking for some simple fun online or via local wireless, this game should be well worth the $15 price tag.
Knock ‘Em Down! Bowling	Sports (Bowling) / Party Game	1-4 Competitive (Local)	B-
tl;dr Knock ‘Em Down! Bowling is family-friendly Party-style bowling that channels the spirit of the Wii Sports bowling game surprisingly well, with some really solid party game modes and pretty good motion-control gameplay. The controls take a bit of getting used to, but on the whole this should make a fine addition to a party.
Kraken Smash: Volleyball	Sports (Volleyball) / Platformer / Party Game	1-4 Team Competitive (Local)	B-
tl;dr Kraken Smash: Volleyball is a family-friendly side-view Volleyball game that’s simple and fun in multiplayer. It’s sorely lacking in game modes and options, but for only $5 that’s somewhat forgivable. This is a good addition to your Party Game rotation, though you might want to consider spending more to get the similar and much more varied Wrestledunk Sports.
MageQuit	Arcade / Party	1-8 Competitive / Team Competitive (Local), 2-10 Competitive / Team Competitive (Online)	B-
tl;dr MageQuit is an arena-based Arcade-style Party Game where players take the role of wizards blasting each other with spells in an enclosed arena. There are some frustrating design and technical issues here, unimpressive visuals, and some hideously bad slowdown on Nintendo Switch. Yet despite these issues, MageQuit is still a delight to play, and Party Game fans looking for another game to throw down in should definitely consider this one, though you may be off getting this game on another platform if you can.
One Strike	Fighting Game	1-2 Competitive (Local)	B-
tl;dr One Strike is a Fighting Game about dueling samurai warriors, and it features extremely simplified “one hit kills” combat mechanics and a retro-inspired presentation. The game isn’t quite as well-balanced as I’d like, but overall this is still a superb Fighting Game for brief sessions, and one well worth the $5 price tag.
Puzzle Bobble / Bust-a-Move (16-Bit Console Version)	Match-3 Puzzle	1-2 Competitive (Local)	B-
tl;dr Puzzle Bobble is an exceptional, highly-influential Puzzle game where players aim colored bubbles at other bubbles to match and clear them. However, by “highly influential”, that means there are an absolute ton of game on Nintendo Switch that play exactly like this, including another version of this exact game… although I do prefer this version over the ACA NEOGEO version. This is a truly exceptional Puzzle game, I just think you’re better off playing one of the later games in the series.
REKT! High Octane Stunts	Stunt Driving	1-4 Competitive (Local)	B-
tl;dr REKT! is a Stunt Driving game that plays like a Tony Hawk game with cars. It has some good multiplayer support and surprisingly smooth visuals, but the levels are too bland and the game overall is lacking in content. Still a fun time, but this could have been so much better.
Sega Ages Puyo Puyo 2	Match-4 Falling Block Puzzle	1-2 Competitive (Local / Online), Online Leaderboards	B-
tl;dr Sega Ages Puyo Puyo 2 is a Match-4 Falling Block Puzzle game originally released in 1994. It’s a marked improvement over the first game in multiple areas. It’s still missing features we’ve come to expect from Puzzle games today, and the online servers are deserted, but the core gameplay here is still solid, and worth a look for Puzzle fans who don’t own another version of the game.
Sega Ages Virtua Racing	Arcade Racing	1-8 Competitive (Local Split-Screen), 2 Competitive (Online), Online Leaderboards	B-
tl;dr Sega Ages Virtua Racing gives us the definitive version of the classic Arcade-Style racer, with newly-improved framerates, resolution, and draw distance, and 8-player splitscreen play. It’s still archaic in some ways, but this port has revitalized the game to still be relevant today.
Serious Sam Collection	Compilation / First-Person Shooter	1-4 Co-Op / Competitive / Team Competitive (Local Split-Screen / Local Wireless)	B-
tl;dr Serious Sam Collection is a Compilation of the alien-blasting First-Person Shooters Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter, Serious Sam HD: The Second Encounter, and Serious Sam 3 BFE, along with DLC for the latter two games. This isn’t a comprehensive collection, the first two games run well but show their age in multiple ways, and the third game has some severe performance issues due to a shoddy port job. There’s still a lot of old-school fun to be had, and the multiplayer options here are impressive (unless you want to play online or play Serious Sam 3 in Split-Screen multiplayer), but know that the Nintendo Switch version of this collection comes with some severe compromises.
Skies of Fury DX	Combat Flight Simulator	1-4 Team Competitive (Local Split-Screen)	B-
tl;dr Skies of Fury DX is a WWI-era Combat Flight Sim, and what it does, it does well. The gameplay is solid, the graphics are good, and four players can have a blast in the 2v2 multiplayer mode. It’s just a shame the game is so lacking when it comes to the variety department, because it could have been even better.
Snake vs Snake	Arcade / Party Game	1-6 Competitive (Local), Online Leaderboards	B-
tl;dr Snake vs Snake is an Arcade-style Party game that takes the classic gameplay of Snake and places a focus on multiplayer play. It absolutely has its flaws, and it’s not doing anything that truly revolutionizes the old-as-dirt gameplay, but its varied game modes and support for up to six players makes it a nice addition to your Party game rotation.
Team Sonic Racing	Kart Racer	1-4 Team Competitive (Local Split-Screen) 1-4 Team Competitive (Local Wireless) 2-16 Team Competitive (Online)	B-
tl;dr Team Sonic Racing is a Kart Racer with a focus on its team dynamics, and it’s a solid entry in the genre. However, it’s not without its flaws, and it is largely overshadowed by Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which is simply an all-around better game. If you want a second kart racer though, Team Sonic Racing is a good choice.
The Escapists 2	Top-Down Action-RPG	1-2 Co-Op / Competitive (Local Split-Screen) 4 Co-Op / Competitive (Online)	B-
tl;dr The Escapists 2, like the first game, is a Top-Down Action-RPG that puts you in the role of a prison inmate seeking to bust out of jail. The game has a wealth of options and complex systems at work to give players plenty of possibilities for enacting their escape, and this time it does a much better job of explaining to the player how it all works. There are still some issues with tedious gameplay elements, and the excellent multiplayer mode has been cut back somewhat for the Switch version, but on the whole this is a solid entry in the Switch’s library.
Treadnauts	Arcade / Action-Platformer	1-4 Competitive (Local)	B-
tl;dr Treadnauts is a multiplayer-focused arena-based Arcade-style Action-Platformer with players using wall-crawling tanks to try to take each other out. This game uses some fun but challenging physics to assist in your movement, and these make this a game that will be somewhat challenging for less-skilled players to master. It’s also lacking online play and any sort of significant single-player mode. However, if you’re looking to add a game to your Party Game rotation, this is a solid choice.
Trombone Champ	Music-Rhythm	1-4 Co-Op / Competitive (Local)	B-
tl;dr Trombone Champ is a family-friendly Music Rhythm game where players try to not only time the notes of their music, but use one of a selection of control schemes (including pretty good motion controls) to ensure it comes out at the right pitch as well. Or more frequently, to attempt that and fail, creating a discordant cacophony that is nevertheless still a delight due to just how silly everything, a silliness this game leans into hard. This isn’t a game you’re likely to play for long stretches of time, but you may want to play it with friends in a party setting, if only to see how ridiculously bad the music gets with everyone performing together. For that reason, this game is well worth trying out.
Utra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers	Fighting Game	1-2 Co-Op (Local), 2 Competitive (Local, Local Wireless, Online)	B-
tl;dr Ultra Street Fighter II is the latest, greatest version of Street Fighter II that takes the visuals of Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, adds two new characters, rebalances the gameplay, adds in a few throwaway extra game modes and a decent art gallery… and then slaps on a $40 price tag. Make no mistake, the gameplay here is still fantastic, probably the best that Street Fighter II has ever been, but the cost is so absurd that it’s hard to recommend this game, and so prohibitive that it has left online lobbies empty. This is a game for die-hard series fans only – everyone else is better off going for the 30th Anniversary Collection, which is $10 cheaper and includes way more content.
Vivitter	Party Game	1-8 Competitive (Local)	B-
tl;dr Vivitter is a family-friendly free-to-play Party Game that has players competing in minigames that are all a spin on the “get close but don’t go over” concept of “chicken”. Despite the simple concept and some issues with repetitive games and pacing, this is nevertheless a great choice for a game to add to your Party Game list due to its fun and accessible minigames, great sense of humor, and lack of pushy monetization.
What the Dub?!	Party Game	1-6 Competitive (Local)	B-
tl;dr What the Dub?! Is a Party Game that has players using smartphones or other web-enabled devices to submit lines to be read via voiceover over old video clips, and then voting on which line was their favorite. It’s a bit repetitive, and the text-to-speech algorithm naturally lacks comedic tone and timing, but this is otherwise a solid Party Game.

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