Kirby and the Rainbow Curse is a fun little title that doesn't bring a ton to the table, but what it does offer, it executes quite well. A good game if you're looking for short bursts of platforming fun, just don't expect anything epic in scope.
Castlestorm is an addictive and charming tower defense title that, despite a few minor faults, stands out from many of its ilk. With surprisingly deep and plentiful content, and easy to learn mechanics, this one is worth checking out.
Super Mario Maker provides endless fun, heavy doses of nostalgia, and a superb level creator that makes it easy to play the role of amateur game designer. A must have for any Wii U owner who is even mildly interested in Mario games and/or likes to create.
Yoshi's Woolly World is a fun and amusing platformer in its own right, though the quirky art style and gameplay gimmicks seem to take center stage here. Tries a bit too hard to emulate its predecessors.
Bard’s Gold comes off largely as a homage to tricky hardcore dungeon crawlers. But it is solid enough in its own right, proving to be fun, addictive, and rewarding, despite its somewhat simplistic concept and the often grueling gameplay that can lead to some frustrating moments.
Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash provides the bare minimum tennis experience, as shallow gameplay is disguised with gimmicks, particularly when it comes to the single player offerings. The pretty graphics and online functionality are largely its only strong points.
While Xenoblade Chronicles X doesn't quite hit must-buy territory, for those who appreciate RPGs, particularly with a focus on action and an open-world brimming with tons of content, should give this Wii U exclusive a chance.
Star Fox Zero tries to do too much with gimmicks that simply don't work, while neglecting the core mechanics of its predecessors. Even diehard fans would probably be hard pressed to find many redeeming qualities from this sequel.
TurnOn is definitely a neat idea on paper, and though it does some things well, it leaves a bit to be desired at times. Tough to recommend at full price, but fans of platformers, and those who just want a relaxing gaming experience, are likely to get some enjoyment out of it.
A great union of retro flare and novel concepts, strengthened by solid mechanics and some great music, Road to Ballhalla is sure to provide many with at least some entertainment, especially those who favor arcade-style gaming.
What you see is pretty much what you get here – Pokken Tournament is a solid multiplayer experience that should make both Pokemon and fighting genre aficionados take notice.
A mildly fun multiplayer experience at best, and a flawed, derivative dungeon crawler at worst. Good for some fun with friends in short bursts, but has a knack for growing old rather quickly, especially when venturing out solo.
This indie roguelike is nothing revolutionary, but acts as a fun tribute to the action focused dungeon crawlers of yesteryear. Those looking to get a satisfying, adrenaline-inducing dose of hack n' slash nostalgia shouldn't be disappointed.
Halo Wars 2 doesn't break any new ground, and won't soon overtake the leaders of the genre, but it offers plenty for gamers who seek a refined console-focused RTS and another joyous trip into the Halo universe.
High Noon Revolver borrows the arcade formula of rapid-fire gameplay and frequent deaths, and emulates it moderately well. The difference is at least you don't have to keep throwing away your quarters. This type of experience isn't for everyone, but there are plenty who will get a kick out of it.
Has-Been Heroes is a solid tower defense experience that borrows attributes from Plants vs Zombies, while putting its own twist on the formula. Plenty of repetition and frustration - exacerbated by too many randomized elements - but the addictive and enduring gameplay shines through on occasion.
With some solid gameplay - and there is lots of it to be found - Puyo Puyo Tetris might just be one of the definitive puzzle games of 2017, particularly on the Switch where the handheld, play-on-the-go nature fits it like a glove.
The smattering of flaws aside, NBA Playgrounds manages to be a fun multiplayer street hoops experience that is at least partially successful in recapturing the charm of NBA Jam. Player decks and lottery pick meter are subtle but effective elements to help give the game a bit of its own character.
Feral Fury is a fun little pick-up-and-play shooter that serves its function quite well. It feels at once familiar in its gameplay, and fresh in its cartoony overlay.
Unlike its unique predecessor, you largely know what you're getting into with this third person ink shooter sequel, but that's not a bad thing. Shortcomings aside, Splatoon 2 still just might be the best multiplayer experience on the Nintendo Switch so far.