In 2002, Nintendo made waves with Metroid Prime. It brought the classic 2D Metroid to 3D and succeeded. The game won multiple Game of the Year awards and became an instant classic. In 2023, Nintendo surprised the world by completely rebuilding the game for the Nintendo Switch. Metroid Prime is quite cinematic and atmospheric, so a graphical update was definitely needed. The game now exudes atmosphere. The planet Tallon IV has never looked better. The frame rate is also now stable at 60fps, a difference from the original.

In the game, you explore the planet, which is quite large, as Samus. You'll often return to the same rooms to see if you missed something or if you can now continue. You'll usually discover hidden upgrades or new routes. This core aspect of the gameplay sets Metroid apart from your average shooter. In Metroid, you discover the route and often the story as well. You can scan objects and enemies to gain a deeper understanding of the world you're active in as a bounty hunter.

Besides the usual upgrades in graphics, the controls have also received some improvements. You can now play with two sticks in the classic style, or activate a mouse-like control system. There's something to be said for both. The ability to choose your own gameplay is especially welcome. Control over Samus is essential, as the difficulty is still high and you can't save anywhere, unfortunately.

Perhaps that's part of the thrill. Metroid Prime is holding up remarkably well, even more than 20 years after its original release. Perhaps this is the best Metroid ever?

Old-school JRPG, but modernized...

You play as four heroes tasked with protecting crystals. Bravely Default isn't a standout story system, but that's okay. We love classic JRPG stories, and the execution in this game is fantastic. The job system is the star of the game. You can combine and customize classes. Hundreds of combinations are possible. Experimenting with this is part of the fun. The graphics are magical. The world looks like a pop-up book. Villages and dungeons are beautifully detailed. Character design seems to be inspired by anime. The music is orchestral and bombastic. Battle themes are epic! And the village music is soothing.

The controls are traditional. Like a good JRPG, it's menu-based combat with some modernization. The Brave and Default systems add tactical depth. The Brave system is unique. You can save or borrow turns. Risk everything in one turn or play defensively. This choice makes every battle tactical. As you progress, your Jobs also level up. This also creates more possibilities. The variety is enormous. Side quests add context and depth to the story. The NPCs you encounter feel alive. Their stories are full of emotion and well-written. Of course, the main story also has several twists. All in all, Brave Default isn't an outdated game, but it does respect the lessons that were once established in the JRPG genre. It's an evolution of the classic formula.

We consider the adjustable difficulty a huge plus. This way, everyone can enjoy this game. And you'll enjoy it for a long time, because this is a very long game. You'll easily spend between 60 and 80 hours playing this game. If you love classic JRPGs but are ready for some polish and updates to make life a little more beautiful and fun, then Bravely Default II is perfect for you. This turned-based RPG proves that the genre isn't dead.

In 1993, the geniuses at Nintendo released a game from the series: The Legend of Zelda, for the Nintendo Game Boy. This is a complete remake of the Game Boy classic. This remake is fantastically crafted and deserves a spot on the list of best games for the Nintendo Switch. You play Link, stranded on a mysterious island. Your goal is to wake up from a dream. Or perhaps the island is the dream. The story is simple yet emotionally impactful.

The graphics are incredible. Everything looks like a toy. The diorama style is perfectly chosen. It feels like you're playing in a miniature world. The tilt-shift camera effect enhances this. The music has been remastered. Classic tracks sound modern but retain their charm. The controls have been modernized. Movement and combat are smooth.

Dungeons are classic Zelda. Puzzles and combat are perfectly balanced. Each dungeon has a unique theme. Items you find open up new possibilities. The overworld is compact but full of secrets. Exploring this game is rewarding. The atmosphere is what makes it special. The island feels isolated. The inhabitants are sweet but mysterious. The ending of this game is impactful. This remake does justice to the original and adds modern features, such as auto-save and more inventory slots. The Chamber dungeons are new. You can create your own dungeons from found rooms. A nice bonus, but not essential.

Link's Awakening proves that old games can be timeless. With the right presentation and some modern controls, the game feels fresh again. The toy-like graphics are fantastic and also made their debut in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. This game shows how to execute a remake while respecting the original, yet not afraid to improve upon it. Perfect for veterans and newcomers alike. A must-have and a showcase for the Switch.

The hardest boss rush ever

Cuphead and Mugman made a deal with the devil. Now they must collect souls by defeating bosses. Cuphead looks sweet, but has a dark story and is damn difficult. Cuphead is a true run-and-gun game, where the focus is on boss fights. Each level is a puzzle where you have to discover patterns. You have to learn and react accordingly. If you don't get the puzzle right in your head, there's absolutely no chance of beating that boss.

The graphics are hand-drawn. The animations are reminiscent of the early Disney cartoons. Every frame is drawn. The rubber hose animation style (from the 1920s and 1930s) is perfectly recreated. The music fits perfectly and is, as you would expect: big band jazz. Each boss has its own music track. The sound exudes that 1930s style throughout the entire game. In addition to sound and graphics, gameplay, and especially controls, are important. The controls are simple and tight. You have to run, shoot, jump, and dash. You have to combine these skills and master them 100%. Precision is essential.

The game doesn't let you down easily. Each boss requires dozens of attempts to recognize patterns. Failure isn't a problem, but a learning experience; you know why you failed. Defeating a boss truly feels like a victory. Perhaps that's why it's a good idea to play this game in co-op; it makes it a little easier.

The addition of weapons and charms offers the possibility of customization. Experimenting with this is essential. Some bosses require specific setups. In these games, we call this risk-rewards. Avoiding and dodging pink objects gives you a super meter.

The combination of the graphics, the tight controls, and the fitting sound make it a classic. Or, better yet, a work of art. The gameplay is rock solid, making this game a must-buy for die-hards who love real challenges. This game isn't a game, but art, or a sport.

Everyone loves a good card game

Poker, but more addictive

Balatro is a deck-building roguelike featuring poker. You play poker to score points, but there are jokers that break the rules. So, you play poker, where you can score a straight flush, four of a kind, full house, flush, three of a kind, etc., based on your hand. You start with an eight-card deck, and with a limited number of hands and discards, you have to use a maximum of five cards to score. Use your discards to get better hands. And because this is a roguelike, every run is different thanks to random generation. With random opponents and a lot of luck, sometimes you can achieve the highest scores, but sometimes the other way around. If you reach a set score, you win, and the more you do this, the stronger you become. After winning, you can go to the store to spend your winnings on better cards and upgrades. That's part of the game's appeal. In the beginning, you'll mainly go for flushes, because they're often easily achievable. The game rewards you for playing fewer hands and playing higher-quality cards. If you lose all your hands, you lose. It all sounds great, and it is. To get higher scores, you have to use Jokers. At least, you can't actually throw them on the table, but rather use them as a power to significantly increase scores and thus increase your chances of winning. But even here, you have to be careful. If you have a Joker that significantly increases the value of a flush, you should focus on winning a flush, not on a four-of-a-kind, for example.

Each round consists of three smaller rounds: the relatively easy small blind, the blind blind, and finally, a boss. A boss always imposes an additional condition on regular play; for example, prohibiting the use of certain card combinations, or worse.

Balatro's graphics are minimalist and not necessarily a reason to buy the game. The game isn't ugly, but has a basic pixelated look and a clear UI. Everything is immediately readable, and nothing is truly hidden. There are no unnecessary animations. The focus is entirely on gameplay. The controls are simple: select cards and play. Intuitive for everyone. The music is chill and ambient, and above all, not distracting. This makes it perfect for long, or very short, sessions. Addictive? Addictive!