DIG!T (Mobile)
This is a math puzzle number game where you are given a set of numbers, and must recreate the same number arrangement on the bottom of the screen. It has the subtitle of “Not Like Sudoku” but if you do like math puzzles such as Sudoku, you’ll probably like this one. It’s available on mobile devices but reviewed on iPad here.
SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters Clash (Switch)
Back in the late 90’s/early 2000’s, game maker SNK released a handheld called the NEO GEO Pocket Color, to compete with Nintendo’s Game Boy Color. I loved that handheld, and I’ve been super happy that over the past few years, many of those games have been re-released on the Switch. But every time I reviewed one, I would always want and ask in my review for them to re-release SNK vs Capcom: Card Fighters Clash on the Switch. That was my favorite game on the handheld. I liked it even more than Pokémon! I have a lot of great memories playing that game with my brother, and also playing it with SNK employees at E3 back then! So now I’m SUPER HAPPY that they’ve finally re-released it!
Rune Factory 4 Special (PS4, Switch, Xbox One, X/S, PC)
Story of Seasons, formerly known as Harvest Moon, is a popular long running series of farming life simulations. They’ve also had spinoffs in the Rune Factory series. These games combine the farming gameplay aspects with dungeon exploration and action packed battles in a fantasy setting. Nearly ten years ago, I reviewed Rune Factory 4 on 3DS, and now it’s getting a re-release with added features for current consoles and PC (but reviewed on PS4 here).
Shovel Knight: Pocket Dungeon (PS4, Switch, PC)
The indie game Shovel Knight has really gained fame since its release. And for good reason, because it’s a great game! The 8-bit styled 2-D platformer has gotten spinoffs with playable bosses, a Smash clone with Shovel Knight Showdown, and has even gotten kids meal toys at Arby’s! And now Shovel Knight is starring in a puzzle action game! It’s available on PS4, Switch, and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.
Match Three Pirates II (Switch, PC, Mobile)
Help a kid build a pirate themed amusement park for his pirate friends in Match Three Pirates II. I’ve never played the first game so I don’t know what’s improved or changed in the sequel, but it’s your typical match three puzzle game like Candy Crush or Bejeweled. It’s available on Switch, PC, and mobile devices but reviewed on Switch here.
Horatio Goes Snowboarding (PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, X/S, PC)
Horatio is a little blue ball guy with a moustache and goggles and he wants to go snowboarding! Guide him through the busy streets to the snowboard shop to pick up gear and then to the helicopter so he can ski down the mountain in this action game that takes elements from arcade classics like Konami’s Frogger and Taito’s Alpine Ski. It’s available on nearly all current consoles and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.
Tunche (Switch, PS4, Xbox One, X/S, PC)
Tunche is a side scrolling beat ‘em up with roguelike elements and features South American myths and lore, which is something you don’t see much in video games. Choose from five playable characters. Four of which are kids from South America and the other is a guest star: the kid from A Hat in Time for some reason. Indie games like to feature other indie game characters I guess. Anyway, up to four can play couch co-op as you battle all sorts of creatures in the Amazon. The game is available on most current home consoles and PC, but reviewed on Switch here.
Mickey Storm and the Cursed Mask (PS4, Switch, Xbox One)
Mickey Storm and his family are visiting a new water park, but the evil Dr. Fisher kidnaps his parents and now it’s up to Mickey and his sister to save them! Apparently their parents are also spies, so they’ve left them a backpack with all sorts of gadgets and a flying robot named B.U.D.D.Y. to guide them around the waterslide obstacles and save the day. Mickey Storm and the Cursed Mask is a 2-D platformer available on most current consoles but reviewed on PS4 here.
Marsupilami: Hoobaventure (PS4, Switch, Xbox One, PC)
Marsupilami is a European comic book character who is a fictional animal with leopard like spots and a trademark super long tail. And he says “Hooba” a lot. Die-hard Disney Afternoon fans like myself might remember some trailer bumpers advertising the block with Marsupilami spelling out the Disney Afternoon logo with his tail. And I remember Marsupilami having some shorts on the Saturday Morning Raw Toonage show (but I think they were pretty annoying). But that’s all the notoriety that character has had in the US. But in Europe he’s had comics, multiple cartoons, a movie, and tons of merchandise. And now he has his own video game, a 2-D platformer very similar to Donkey Kong Country. In the game, an evil pirate skeleton thing has hypnotized all the animals, and now it’s up to Marsupilami to stop him! The game is available on most current consoles and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.
Inspector Waffles (Switch, PS4, PC)
Waffles is a cat who lives in a world full of anthropomorphic animals, but mostly cats and dogs. He’s an inspector who works for a local police station, but has been downtrodden after his last big case went south. Now a nearby cat, Fluffy, has been murdered and Waffles is on the beat again. With his newfound partner, snifferdog Spotty, will Waffles be able to solve the case and get back on his feet again? You’ll find out in Inspector Waffles, a point and click adventure mystery game. It’s available to download on Switch, PS4, and PC, but reviewed on Switch here.

