Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! (Switch)

Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! are beautiful reimaginings of a video game classic, updating a 20-year-old game in ways which make it infinitely more accessible and user-friendly for a modern audience, while keeping the magic first discovered all those years ago. Hardcore fans may consider the whole experience too much of a cakewalk, but the game does a superb job of striking a balance between being an easy route of entry for newcomers to the series and offering just enough post-game challenge and competitive play elements (and nostalgia, of course) to please series veterans. As a result, these new titles really do offer something for everyone, which can't always be said of the mainline Pokémon entries. They might not be an absolute masterpiece, but we’d urge any Poké-fans out there to give these ones a go.

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Yoshi's Crafted World (Switch)

If you’re new to the series, Yoshi’s Crafted World has colour and charm to spare, even if its inventiveness is largely limited to its looks for returning fans of the series. It’s delightfully presented and makes for another very solid entry in Nintendo’s ever-growing pantheon of material-based platformers from developer Good-Feel. If you’re looking to share a lighthearted romp with the family, or simply relax in a big chair with a cup of something warm and a comfy pair of socks, be sure to have a spare pair ready – Yoshi's Crafted World will charm the ones you’re wearing right off.

Keep your eyes peeled for another Good-Feel-in' game further down this list.

Snipperclips Plus: Cut it out, together! (Switch)

Snipperclips was the Nintendo Switch's indie darling launch title, and it sums up exactly what the Switch is all about: cooperation, creativity, and a dash of competition. You have to work alongside a friend or two to cut shapes out of each other to solve a variety of tricky puzzles, and it's an absolute riot.

Super Mario Maker 2 (Switch)

This is Super Mario Maker but with more of everything that made the original so phenomenal. Enemies, themes, game styles, gizmos, powerups, the Story Mode having an actual story, multiplayer, the list of additional gubbins is truly massive when you take a step back. There are a few small issues here and there, but they're overwhelmingly dwarfed by the sheer joy and unbridled freedom that exceeds the original in spades. Realistically Super Mario Maker 2 poses the question as to whether this is the future for 2D Mario as a whole. For any fan of Mario who owns a Switch – heck, for any Switch owner full stop – buying this game is an absolute necessity.

Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer Featuring The Legend of Zelda (Switch eShop)

Brace Yourself Games crafted a unique Zelda game which fits in perfectly with the rest of the family. A transfusion from Crypt of the NecroDancer gives the old top-down template a fresh spin but it still manages to feel like Zelda. By allowing a talented indie developer to play in the universe, Nintendo has gained a fantastic entry in the franchise that feels like a celebration - specifically of its music, a part of the series destined to take a back seat as the majesty of Hyrule is increasingly conveyed through the scale of its world rather than melodies from the days when the 'kingdom' was really a walled garden. Cadence of Hyrule is not just a brilliant game, it's a brilliant Zelda game, and one that you won't want to miss.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Switch)

How does this 'ultimate' version of Nintendo's scrapper stack up? Vocal concerns about past games have been actively addressed, every single fighter from the series is present (even Pichu), the customisability is overwhelmingly vast and it’s all topped off with super-solid single-player modes to boot. We’re not sure how you could make a more robust or pleasing Smash game — Super Smash Bros. Ultimate truly is the ultimate instalment in the series, and it makes you wonder where Sakurai can possibly take this franchise next.

Astral Chain (Switch)

With its amazing visuals, fantastic presentation, varied gameplay and deep, rewarding combat, Astral Chain could well be PlatinumGames' most accomplished game yet. It mixes detective work with exhilarating battle sequences that are inventive, challenging and – perhaps most importantly – breathtakingly cool. The complexity of the game's myriad systems may prove intimidating for some players, but the inclusion of a co-op play and the ability to automate many of the mechanics via the 'Unchained' mode means that even complete newcomers can still enjoy the ride. Astral Chain isn't just one of the Switch's stand-out hits – it was one of 2019's best video games regardless of platform.

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (Switch)

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening was a technical marvel when it first arrived on the scene back in 1993. Easily one of the great Game Boy releases, it was a first bash at a handheld Zelda that took the formula as perfected by A Link to the Past, jammed it all onto a tiny portable console and, somehow, managed to make it all work while adding a host of new features and concepts to the mix. This beautiful Switch remake rebuilds all of this from the ground up in fine style. It adds modern conveniences, a dungeon creator, amiibo support and lots of little quality of life improvements whilst infusing every single square inch of Koholint – every secret passage, Piranha, Pokey and Pig Warrior – with a level of detail and depth that reinvigorates both its timeless story and classic Zelda gameplay for a whole new generation of gamers.

Luigi's Mansion 3 (Switch)

Luigi’s Mansion 3 is not only a graphical powerhouse and showcase for Next Level Games’ unrivalled mastery of video game animation, it’s also an immense helping of spooky fun as well. The amount of care and consideration poured into every facet of the game is abundantly clear, and it all results in one of the most enjoyable and attractive Switch titles of the year. It's also the undisputed high point of a franchise that deserves love and attention from Nintendo fandom, and the gaming community as a whole.

Ring Fit Adventure (Switch)

Nintendo's latest entry in the fitness games genre succeeds in properly gamifying exercise where Wii Fit never quite hit the mark. If you're a gym addict you probably shouldn't throw out your membership card just yet, but for everyone else looking to get fitter, Ring Fit Adventure is a fantastic way to do it that won't bore you senseless. Play it properly and you'll definitely feel it the next morning – a sure sign that it's at least doing you some good – while the compelling adventure mode with its RPG elements ensures that you'll keep coming back for more.

Pokémon Sword and Shield (Switch)

Pokémon Sword and Shield succeed in bringing some new ideas to the table, although there are areas where it could be pushed further. It's an experience full of highs and lows, from the unadulterated wonder and joy of seeing a brand-new Pokémon in a stadium full of cheering crowds, to the monotonous and dragged-out dialogue we just wanted to skip. The wonders of exploring the Wild Area feel like the true evolution of the series — and hinted at the type of freedom that would later arrive in Pokémon Legends: Arceus (more of which later). On the whole, Pokémon Sword and Shield were a very solid start to the HD generation of Pokémon games, one we wish that Scarlet and Violet had built upon some more, especially on the technical side.

Mario Tennis Aces (Switch)

Mario Tennis Aces is the latest entry in the sports franchise that marks a glorious return of the single-player campaign. This time around it's more of an adventure though, with minigames and boss battles splitting up the matches. There's also plenty of room for multiplayer – both local and online – and you can even play with the Joy-Con's gyroscope just like in the Wii Sports days.

Good Job! (Switch eShop)

Good Job! was a wonderful surprise that everyone should try out. Thanks to its hilarious physics, seemingly menial tasks have the potential to descend into utter carnage – whether intentional or not – and its grading system means there are plenty of opportunities to replay. Slight technical hiccups aside, Good Job! is absolutely guaranteed to have you in fits of laughter.