NintendoWorldReport

Parking Garage Rally Circuit knows exactly what it is: a tight racing game that feels like a victory lap of the arcade racers that inspired it. The controls are perfect. The visuals are somehow of its time yet timeless. And when everything clicks together this is a phenomenal racing game for both experts and newcomers alike. It would’ve been nice to play together with friends online, but I suppose their ghosts will have to do. This game feels like one of those small hidden gems that’s going to stand the test of time, one that doesn’t require tweaking with cars or switching between manual or automatic shifting. It isn’t clinging to the past but rather celebrating those that came before. Let the meter run a little bit longer, because being stuck in this parking garage has been nothing but pure joy.

Like its predecessor, Super Scram Kitty isn’t a particularly complicated game. The basic premise is immediately understandable, and you could be forgiven for thinking it's too simple in the opening levels. But it quickly becomes obvious that you’ll need to master this unique movement system to progress into the later levels and that is where Super Scram Kitty shines. There really is nothing else that plays quite like it. The changes made for this edition of the game make it feel almost like an entirely new game, even if you, like me, have fond memories of playing it on Wii U.

Call of the Elder Gods is smart, pretty, and, on occasion, satisfying, but it is also way too talky and too structurally obvious to become an absorbing experience. There are good puzzles here, and some will absolutely enjoy picking through its clues and strange story and lore. However, it lacks the confidence, elegance, and restraint needed to feel like an essential adventure-puzzle game.

If The Adventures of Elliot become as numerous as the legends of Zelda, you'll find me a willing participant, despite the shortcomings of this maiden voyage. The inspirations are clear, but so too is the understanding of what makes for enjoyable minute-to-minute gameplay. The longer you play, the more the cracks begin to show, but the story manages to push you forward and the hidden plots beneath it make going out of your way an oft fulfilling detour. The red mage-looking Elliot has made a fan out of me, and if Link ever wants to take a break from stopping Ganon, Square Enix has a capable backup waiting in the wings.

While I do think that playing Rise of the Tomb Raider is pretty clunky and has not aged particularly well, I still had a fun time experiencing the game for the first time on Nintendo Switch 2. Over the course of a weekend I completed the main story, explored all the hidden tombs and had a lovely burst of nostalgia for an era of AAA games that is slowly coming back into fashion. Game mechanics and the overall player experience have improved significantly over the past eleven years. Yet, Rise of the Tomb Raider is still not too far removed from that time, allowing you to easily pick up and enjoy the experience today. Given that it kept me entertained and enthralled for a full weekend does say something about the quality on display here. Even if I’ve had my fill of this particular type of game for now. I’d be happy locking it away in a tomb, hoping that someone else may stumble upon it in the future one day and get some enjoyment out of it.

In the larger context of the roguelike genre, Dungeon Clawler plays with a lot of familiar tropes. However, its claw machine mechanic is playful enough to make it stand out and outlast the trappings of other games in this niche. It is clear that the developers had a lot of fun designing the world and characters to keep players on their toes. While it does have a bit of a learning curve that could’ve been smoothed out and the luck factor can never be underestimated, Dungeon Clawler is a great time. If you’re looking for something to sink a lot of time into, but want to save your quarters on, this is a roguelike you shouldn’t miss.

Tetris: The Grand Master 4 - Absolute Eye is a fine version of Tetris that is tailored to those who are looking for the highest possible challenge. The small tweaks are welcome for those who’ve played Tetris religiously but the game lacks modes and variation to keep coming back to. With no online multiplayer you must really enjoy score chasing in singleplayer Tetris to stay hooked. While the guides and other modes taught me some valuable skills I can hopefully deploy in other games of Tetris, TGM4 knows that it is only there to provide you with just Tetris. For that goal it is perfectly adequate and plays great. For anything else you’re probably much better off playing a different version of Tetris. There’s a plethora of options out there even if TGM4 isn’t for you.

To A T was for me nothing short of a disappointment. I was expecting a fun and colorful story from the creative mind of the creator of Katamari Damacy. And while it may be unfair to put those expectations on a game with a wildly different approach to game design, the choices made here are more of a detriment to the design. A segmented, slow and repetitive story is even more kneecapped by inconsistent performance on Nintendo Switch 2. By the end I was left disappointed because all the ingredients and potential was there. Maybe the colorful visual style and cozy, slowed-down gameplay is exactly what you may be looking for. But to me To a T is not something I care to see again.

As it stands, eFootball Kick-Off! is a great football game wrapped in a thin package. If you’re here for modes, licenses, and the full modern football game circus, you may come away wanting a lot more. If you're here for the feel of PES, smooth 60fps football on Switch 2, and fancy building a team without being shaken upside down for your lunch money, then this is absolutely worth a look.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is a bold game, whether it’s the direction of the story, the size of the world, or the stupid amount of mini-games. It’s a little bit messier than Remake, but the highs are higher. When this game clicks, it’s one of my favorite games in recent memory, making some of the discordant moments less egregious. On Switch 2, it’s a totally fine port, albeit not as impressive as the port of Remake. There might be better platforms to play this game on, but if you’re into the world of Final Fantasy, RPGs, or wild and weird AAA games, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is a must-play wherever you can get it.