Hi, I'm a former game journalist, but even though I don't do that professionally anymore, I still have, you know, opinions.One of those opinions is that while I thoroughly enjoy games on Nintendo platforms, there are a lot of them that you have to wade through to get to the good stuff. So many, in fact, that there aren't too many reviews of some of them.With this in mind, I'll be contributing my own reviews and mini-reviews of these games to this subreddit so anyone who's curious can have something more to judge the quality of these games and try to weed out the diamonds from the rough.And just to be clear, I'm not paid by anyone, I'm not making any money off of this. I'm just doing this because I wanna'.
Here's the games I have reviewed so far on the Nintendo Switch in this genre, from best to worst. Note: If multiple games have the same score, they will be sorted alphabetically. Game Compilations GameGenre# of PlayersGames in CollectionScoretl;drCompilation / Action-Platformer1, Online LeaderboardsMega Man, Mega Man 2, Mega Man 3, Mega Man 4, Mega Man 5, Mega Man 6Mega Man Legacy Collection is a collection of the first six NES games in this series of Action-Platformers. Two of these games are absolutely legendary, one is just as good if a bit less-iconic, and the other games here are all at least worth playing. Pair that with an absolute wealth of options and bonus content and a very reasonable price tag and you have an absolute must-have collection that any fan of Action-Platformers should own.Compilation / Action-Platformer1, Online LeaderboardsMega Man X, Mega Man X2, Mega Man X3, Mega Man X4Mega Man X Legacy Collection is a collection of the first four games in this series of Action-Platformers.
Gunman Clive HD Collection is memorable for its simplicity in approach, and that is matched by a wondrously captivating etched art style. While the developer has joked about how Gunman Clive had been overly reliant on beige, the nuanced sequel more readily splatters the surrounding world with oversaturated colours.
Every one of the included games is excellent, with the first in particular being a must-play game that still stands tall as one of the finest in the genre. What's more, this package includes a huge wealth of bonus content. Fans of Action-Platformers should absolutely have this game in their collection.Compilation / Action-Platformer1Castlevania, Castlevania II: Simon's Quest, Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, Super Castlevania IV, Castlevania: The Adventure, Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge, Castlevania: Bloodlines, Kid DraculaCastlevania Anniversary Collection is a collection of Action-Platformers that includes eight of the great games from early in the series (well, six great games plus two crappy Game Boy games). This collection gives players a wealth of options and bonus content, and is. Actually pretty ideal for a collection of some of the best Action-Platformers ever made. This title is a must for fans of the genre.Compilation / Action-RPG1-3 Co-Op (Local)Final Fantasy Adventure, Secret of Mana, Trials of ManaCollection of Mana is a compilation of 3 classic Zelda-style Action-Adventure games, two of which are phenomenal titles with superb music and great co-op gameplay that have withstood the test of time and are arguably two of the best games the genre has ever seen (and Final Fantasy Adventure has its good qualities too).
However, the lack of extras and absurd price tag makes it hard to give this collection the enthusiastic recommendation it would otherwise deserve.Compilation / Top-Down Action / 2-Stick Shooter1Hotline Miami, Hotline Miami 2: Wrong NumberHotline Miami Collection is a pair of solid Top-Down Action games with a colorful 80s-inspired presentation and intense action that makes players consider their plan of attack. It's a solid experience, although the first Hotline Miami game is clearly the better of the two, thanks to the more cohesive story and better level design.Compilation / Visual Novel / Graphic Adventure1Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Justice For All, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trials and TribulationsPhoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy is a collection of the first three games in this series of investigation and legal drama games that lies somewhere between a Graphic Adventure and Visual Novel.
This is a fantastic collection of three superb games with memorable characters and wonderful gameplay, but $30 for three games that are nearly 20 years old seems a bit much, even if you're not likely to find a better deal on these games elsewhere.Compilation / 3D Platformer1Spyro the Dragon, Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage, Spyro: Year of the DragonSpyro Reignited Trilogy is a collection of the original three PlayStation Spyro games, family-friendly 3D Platformers that have withstood the test of time and are presented here with absolutely gorgeous graphics. While there are a few elements that haven't aged well, like the camera, on the whole this is an absolute joy that fans of platformers should consider a must-have.Compilation / Party Games1-8 Competitive (Local) (4 Recommended)Quiplash 2, Trivia Murder Party, Guesspionage, Fakin' It, Tee K.O.The Jackbox Party Pack 3 is a Collection of Party Games that includes five games that players play using their Smartphone instead of a controller. Of all the Jackbox collections so far, this is my favorite, with three of the games here being absolutely fantastic, and even the worst game here still has some excellent qualities.
On top of that, there's a lot of variety in this package, and some truly great presentation in some of the games here. In short, this is a must-have collection for fans of Party Games.Compilation / Action-Platformer / 2-Stick Shooter1-2 Co-Op (Local),Bleed Complete Bundle includes Bleed and Bleed 2, both excellent Action-Platformers with 2-Stick Shooter gunplay, and both also extremely short and extremely overpriced games. Much as with the individual games, if you can get this collection at a discount, absolutely do so because the games are immensely fun. However, even with the savings this bundle provides, it's still horribly overpriced at its normal price.Compilation / 3D Platformer1Crash Bandicoot, Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back, Crash Bandicoot: WarpedCrash Bandicoot N.
Sane Trilogy is a collection of the original three PlayStation Crash Bandicoot games, family-friendly 3D Platformers that have been given a glorious makeover here. The gameplay is still excellent as well, though it has aged a bit in places - the restricted level design and unforgiving gameplay can be a cause for frustration. However, overall this is a superb collection well worth having.Compilation / Bullet Hell Shmup / Roguelike / 2-Stick Shooter / Match-3 Puzzle1-4 Co-Op (Local), Online Leaderboards,Indie Gems Bundle: Explosions Edition is a Compilation of three Action-packed games, each of them ranging from good to great. If you're a fan of Shmups and 2-Stick shooters, you're bound to find something to love in this package, even if the savings over purchasing these games individually is minimal.Compilation / Action-Platformer1, Online LeaderboardsMega Man 7, Mega Man 8, Mega Man 9, Mega Man 10Mega Man Legacy Collection 2 is a collection of the seventh through the tenth numbered games in this series of Action-Platformers. These games are all pretty good, but none reach the heights of the earlier games in the series, there's less bonus content than in the first collection, and it's $5 more. However, it's still a solid collection of great Action-Platformers with a good amount of bonus content, and fans of the genre would still do well to give it a look.Compilation / Party Games1-100 Competitive (Local) (4 Recommended)You Don't Know Jack 2015, Drawful, Word Spud, Lie Swatter, Fibbage XLThe Jackbox Party Pack is a Collection of mostly Trivia-focused Party Games that includes five games that players play using their Smartphone instead of a controller.
Two of the games in this collection are phenomenal, and only one of the games here isn't worth trying. Plus, many of the games included here represent some of Jackbox's most iconic series, making this first collection one of the best packages they've released.
All in all, this is a fantastic Party game well worth getting.Compilation / Party Games1-4 Co-Op (Local), 2-8 Competitive (Local) (4 Recommended)Fibbage 2, Earwax, Bidiots, Quiplash XL, Bomb CorpThe Jackbox Party Pack 2 is a Collection of Party Games that includes five games that players play using their Smartphone instead of a controller. Two of the games in this collection are fantastic, and only one of the games here isn't worth trying.
Overall, the games in this collection aren't quite as good as what was in the first Party Pack, but there's more variety here and this is still a superb collection of Party Games.Compilation / Puzzle-Platformer1-4 Co-Op (Local, Local Wireless, Online),Trine Ultimate Collection is a Compilation that includes all four games in the Puzzle-Platformer series about three characters with different abilities using their unique talents to fight enemies and solve puzzles. This is a treasure trove for anyone who enjoys the genre or is looking for a top-notch Co-Op collection for their Switch, with most of these game being visually-stunning as well.Compilation / Action-Platformer1Gunman Clive, Gunman Clive 2Gunman Clive HD Collection is a pair of solid action-platformers with a unique cel-shaded 'hand-drawn' look. Although the gameplay is fairly simple and straightforward, the game's stages and bosses can be amusingly creative at times.
Gunman Clive is a pair of little but though platformers with run-and-gun elements. Its graphics are clear and charming, and each of the two games that comprise this collection is quite short–but taken together, they add up to a pretty decent-sized two-parts story, where each level introduces its own twists and curveballs to the action. Somehow, Gunman Clive reminds me of the Donkey Gunman Clive is a pair of little but though platformers with run-and-gun elements. Its graphics are clear and charming, and each of the two games that comprise this collection is quite short–but taken together, they add up to a pretty decent-sized two-parts story, where each level introduces its own twists and curveballs to the action.
Somehow, Gunman Clive reminds me of the Donkey Kong Country games: it packs its levels full of inventive tricks, and it's not afraid to frustrate you. The levels are very short, pretty much the size of a single checkpoint in higher-production platformers–but a few of them will strain your persistence. Luckily, the game is varied and fun enough to convince you to push forward, just to see what comes next. Boss battles, in particular, are a huge motivator: most of them are fantastic, with very well-designed enemies that are wildly different from one another.
All in all, Gunman Clive is a brilliant little platformer, only slightly let down by some frustrating sequences. If you're a fan of the genre, it's an easy recommendation. This is one of the gems people lose out on. The graphic style is amazing unless you’re holding a mirror while playing.
It’s short but sweet, and the challenge never stops. I admit the story was lacking and something you just get as you play. Games should be rated on fun and since it’s an amazingly fun game it’s a solid 9. It could’ve been 10 if it had a story and more game length. There’s This is one of the gems people lose out on.
The graphic style is amazing unless you’re holding a mirror while playing. It’s short but sweet, and the challenge never stops.
I admit the story was lacking and something you just get as you play. Games should be rated on fun and since it’s an amazingly fun game it’s a solid 9.
It could’ve been 10 if it had a story and more game length. There’s so much creativity in this it deserves a goos score outta me Expand. Gunman Clive HD is a side-scrolling action platformer set in the old West that lives up to classics of the genre which it draws inspiration from.
This cowboy does not do much for advancing the genre, but the great art style and terrific boss fights should make this game a staple in anyone’s Switch library. Individual scores below are based off a top score of 20 for each category. Gunman Clive HD is a side-scrolling action platformer set in the old West that lives up to classics of the genre which it draws inspiration from.
This cowboy does not do much for advancing the genre, but the great art style and terrific boss fights should make this game a staple in anyone’s Switch library. Individual scores below are based off a top score of 20 for each category. Gameplay (16) – Like most basic action side-scrollers, Gunman Clive only has two action buttons which are to jump and shoot. There is also no real diversity in weapon choices and the majority of playtime you will be running around with your basic pea shooter. The platforming gets tougher as you progress introducing mechanics that make timing crucial but maintains fairness with no major difficulty spikes in level design. There are also some nice surprises in level design that shies away from just 2D side-scrolling which I won’t spoil any more of.
These stages are great for providing relief from the standard 2D platforming and as a means to change the setting into a new time period. Outside of great level design, the true hero of this collection are the boss battles that challenge you to focus on attack patterns while maintain timing.
The bosses are well varied with only a few sharing similar basic attacks. I especially like the final boss that reminds me of a boss fight in a much bigger budget game, Shadow of the Colossus. Audio (16) – The background music in Gunman Clive has some great themes, but overall would get repetitive in sections. I noticed this a lot more in Part 2 of the collection where the more varied level designs don’t always have music playing that suits the stage. The audio effects for enemies and shooting is quite standard for a budget game in this genre.
Performance (16) – There isn’t much to say for performance with Gunman Clive as it isn’t a taxing game on the Switch. The port from 3DS was done well, and I have not experienced any bugs, crashes, or framerate drops. The controls work well with no input delays; any time I die from a failed jump in this game is simply because I am trash at platformers. Visual (15) – When deciding to get this collection, the hand-drawn art style is what first drew me in.
Clive goes from battling bandits in the Old West to a mish-mash of time periods which lends to some great surprising levels in Part 2. Despite the great variety in enemies and level design during such a short run time, as I progressed further, the choice to maintain some enemies throughout all the settings had me puzzled as they simply didn’t fit. Also, although Part 2 is much more diverse in level design, I cannot get over how many of the stages in the latter portion have a dark background which lessens the aesthetics of the hand-drawn style. Budget (18) – Gunman Clive HD retails for $4 on the Switch eShop.
This price is a bargain already, but you can regularly find it on sale for $2-3. I would recommend this collection to any platformer lover at full MSRP, so catching it on sale is a steal. The collection has a short run time with an approximate three hours to complete but has some replay value for anyone into speed running games as each stage keeps track of time to complete. Part 2 also offers other playable characters including a melee one that can really ramp up the difficulty for future playthroughs. I had a fantastic time with Gunman Clive HD and despite this being a pick-up and go game, I did not want to put it down after a few stages. My nitpickings about Gunman Clive are just that and I found that I enjoyed this game much more than the sum of its parts. This is one of the best 2D action platformers on the Nintendo Switch and deserves a playthrough by any fan of the genre.
Critical Score: 81 Personal Score: 85 Final Answer: 83 Expand.