Rhys Wood
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TechRadar Gaming Latest Reviews
Wild Hearts S gives Switch 2 owners the chance to play Dynasty Warriors developer Omega Force’s monster-hunting game. It’s far from a perfect port, with a noticeable visual downgrade and choppy performance. But it’s still perfectly playable, and the game’s fantastic Karakuri system and interesting take on weapons and armor sets remain as refreshing today as they did in the original release.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is the best soulslike game since 2023’s Lies of P. Developer Leenzee has handled almost everything expertly, from intricate level design that intelligently loops back on itself to thrillingly fast-paced combat that introduces some very fun defensive elements. It’s also a game that really makes you think about your loadout on a per-level basis, with status afflictions and damage types playing an important role. Some frustrating moments aside, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is an essential soulslike experience.
Arcade Archives 2 Ridge Racer is another excellent addition to developer Hamster’s collection of preserved arcade classics. Having the arcade version of the original Ridge Racer on Switch 2 is a real blessing, and its support for online leaderboards allow for quickfire, moreish handheld play. It’s certainly not the most feature-rich game in the series, but a handful of modes and satisfyingly simple gameplay have kept me coming back.
Fast Fusion is a very impressive showcase of the Switch 2’s graphical capabilities. A decent range of tracks and the awesome fusion mechanic definitely make it worth checking out (especially at its unbelievably low price tag), though some frustrations with progression and borderline unfair AI rubber-banding hamper the overall experience.
Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is ultimately a curio that won’t live long in the memory. As a literal tech demo for the various components that keep the Switch 2 ticking, learning things about the system can be fun, and the demos and minigame challenges presented each offer something unique. The experience only lasts a handful of hours, though, and you will need a 4K TV and accessories like the Switch 2 Camera in order to see the game through to completion, which is more than a little cheeky in a paid release.
Mario Kart World is easily the standout launch title on Nintendo Switch 2. And while that may not be saying much, I anticipate it’s comfortably going to be the best-selling Switch 2 game for the entire console generation. Nintendo has created a visually stunning kart racer here, chock-full of its trademark charm and personality. But it’s not without its issues - like the daftly organized character select screen and a Grand Prix format that has a bit of an identity crisis - but what’s here is an undoubtedly impressive racing game that I hope Nintendo continues to build and improve upon.
Lies of P: Overture is an expansion that exudes confidence on the part of developer Round8 Studio, which looks to have already mastered its particular brand of the soulslike format. Overture successfully enriches the entire Lies of P package, with stunning and creative level design and some of the best boss fights in the subgenre as a whole. It’s simply an unmissable experience for fans of the base game.
Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is by far the best and most well-rounded compilation of fighting games the studio has put out so far. There’s truly something for everyone here, from the ocean-deep mechanics of Capcom vs. SNK 2 to the madcap party fun of the Power Stone games. Capcom Fighting Evolution is still a dud and could’ve been replaced with literally anything else, but this is an otherwise unmissable collection for both local and online play.
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves provides a refreshingly old-school fighting game experience, dialing back on the complicated meter systems and overly aggressive play seen in other modern entries in the genre. However, the game’s REV system provides plenty of risk-versus-reward decision making, while the brake and feint functions allow for much combo and playstyle creativity. You’ll certainly get the most out of it by hopping online, though, as its single-player offerings at launch aren’t overly compelling.
The release of Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition means that the entire Xenoblade quadrilogy is now playable on Nintendo Switch. If you’re playing the enhanced Wii U title for the first time, you’ll undoubtedly be dazzled by its breathtaking open world and astonishingly deep battle system. Series veterans will also appreciate quality-of-life changes like an improved tutorial, better navigation as well as the overall cleaner visuals whether you’re playing in docked or handheld mode.