A year later, Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin on PC is a great game held back by technical issues. The game itself has excellent combat, variety, brilliant music, and a lot of heart. Stranger of Paradise and Theatrhythm Final Bar Line are my current favorite Final Fantasy spin-off games, and I hope to see the former improve through potential updates on PC.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Future Redeemed is a phenomenal expansion and perfect finale for the Xenoblade Chronicles trilogy. It is brilliantly-paced and has none of the issues prior releases have, making it even better than Xenoblade Chronicles 3.

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is an excellent action RPG from Falcom, but I can only recommend this PS5 version to newcomers. Having played it on literally every console and PC platform now, I still adore most of Ys IX, but NIS America should've done more for the PS5 port. If you own the PS4 version, just play that. You aren't missing much here.

Cannon Dancer Osman is a fun action platformer with great set-pieces, but one that would've been an easier recommendation if it cost half of what it does right now. The lack of any extra content like a gallery or interviews with the team makes it disappointing even as a retro re-release.

R-Type Final 3 Evolved is the best version of Granzella's newest release, but it doesn't have enough improvements and new content in its current state to justify a full-priced purchase for existing owners. Newcomers should get this, but I wish it included more DLC and was the complete and definitive version rather than an enhanced take with some exclusive content and one set of DLC.

Despite the visual cutbacks and online experience right now, DNF Duel on Nintendo Switch is a competent fighting game. This version isn't close to the best way to experience the game, but those who only play on Nintendo Switch could do a lot worse in the genre than DNF Duel.

Live A Live was an essential on Nintendo Switch last year, and it sees an amazing glow up on PS5 with its boost to resolution, frame rate, and improved load times. While there isn't anything here that justifies a purchase if you played it before, newcomers will find a sublime JRPG in Live A Live on PS5, and I still hope it gets a physical release in the future.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon from PlatinumGames is a game I almost skipped thanks to the demo. Thankfully, I gave it another shot and ended up loving almost everything it has to offer from sublime music, gorgeous art, excellent voice acting, and the interesting gameplay. Everything comes together brilliantly in a storybook-inspired action adventure that is yet another win for the Nintendo Switch and a contender for the best game of 2023.

Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak was already beyond amazing when it debuted last year, and the PlayStation and Xbox versions arrive with three title updates included making it even better. While it is unfortunate that Capcom couldn't launch them with all title updates included, Sunbreak is an essential, and I can now recommend Rise without caveats on PS5.

Despite some technical issues, the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster bundle on Nintendo Switch is a great way to experience these classics. The new font, soundtrack options, and boosts in addition to many other smaller improvements make it well worth getting even in its current state.

While Square Enix should've released them on consoles from the start, the new features and options definitely make the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series on PS5 worth grabbing as a bundle. It isn't perfect thanks to the scrolling issues, but everything else is excellent.

Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection is another excellent Capcom collection on Nintendo Switch, and one that delivers in spades for newcomers to this series. While it has a few issues in its current state, Capcom did a lot more than I expected to make Mega Man Battle Network accessible and awesome on Nintendo Switch.

Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection on PC and Steam Deck is one of Capcom's best collections despite the few issues in its current state. Even for newcomers, this is an easy recommendation.

Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection on PC and Steam Deck is one of Capcom's best collections despite the few issues in its current state. Even for newcomers, this is an easy recommendation.

Guilty Gear Strive on Xbox Series X is superb. The game itself is even better now than it was at launch, and is my favorite fighting game on Xbox by a big margin. If you skipped Strive back in 2021, there has never been a better time to play one of the best of the best.

NeverAwake is a game that feels perfect for short sessions on Switch. The visuals are a bit blurry on Nintendo’s hybrid console, but the cutbacks are all justified thanks to the gameplay being responsive across the board. While I didn’t care for some parts of certain levels, NeverAwake is an essential if you like twin-stick shooters, and a game I see myself coming back to very often.

In its current state, Breakers Collection has improved over its launch version with updates, but it might be a hard sell for many at its asking price. I liked it enough on Switch and PS5 both offline and online to buy it on Steam so that I can also play it on Steam Deck. While I wasn’t familiar with QUByte’s releases before Breakers Collection, this release has made me a fan, and I hope to see the developer tackle more games likes this in the future.

Front Mission 1st Remake is an easy recommendation as of today. I liked it at launch, but the updates have made it better, and there’s even a free demo if you aren’t sure about the genre or game. While the Switch is no stranger to quality tactical RPGs, I’m glad that I finally got to play Front Mission through Front Mission 1st Remake. I’m looking forward to getting a copy of the physical release in the future, and also playing Front Mission 2 Remake this June.

ONI: Road to be the Mightiest Oni’s gameplay and structure perfectly suit portable play, which makes the Switch version’s current state even more disappointing. Right now, I’d recommend it on another platform assuming those versions run better. This adventure game has a lot of soul and potential, but it is held back by a lackluster Switch port. The aesthetic does look great on the OLED screen, but everything else holds it back from being an easy recommendation.

Void Terrarium 2 is an easy recommendation if you want a quality mystery dungeon experience that blends some simulation elements on Nintendo Switch. I’m disappointed that it still has similar performance issues as the first game, but the rest of the experience has been improved quite a bit. If you did play the original recently, this might feel a bit too similar though. I hope a potential third entry dramatically overhauls the setting so it can stand on its own.

I’ve been playing Fitness Boxing Fist of the North Star every few days since launch, and the final game sadly lacks the content and variety in its current state to justify the asking price. It has a lot of potential, but needs a content update and an option to play with Japanese voices to be an easy recommendation even for fans of prior Fitness Boxing games.

I'm glad M2 was the one handling Assault Suits Valken Declassified, but it feels a bit lacking compared to the developer's other re-issues on modern platforms. I still enjoyed my time with it as someone who never played it, and retro mecha action game fans will find a lot to like here.

Atelier Ryza 3 is a more-ambitious take on the formula that builds on prior games in almost every way. While this has led to it being rough around the edges technically, Atelier Ryza 3 is an excellent RPG on both Switch and PS5, and a lovely finale for Ryza.

Atelier Ryza 3 is Gust's most ambitious game, and a fitting finale for Ryza. Gust and Koei Tecmo have delivered better visuals and performance over the console versions on PC, but Ryza 3 unfortunately has some issues on Steam Deck at launch.

Resident Evil 4 Remake is an incredible reimagining of a classic. The stellar pacing, memorable characters, and monsters aplenty combine with sublime gameplay and superlative visuals to make it absolutely essential.

Out Zone is fast paced and a lot of fun. Out Zone is also the only game in this set to be Steam Deck Verified by Valve. I ended up using some assists and enabling the hitbox while practicing Out Zone.

While it is quite difficult, it has a lot going for it with its visuals, and it makes me more excited to try out more Toaplan games when BitWave Games releases them on PC platforms in the future. I did run into some audio issues with this release when I resumed after rewinding a bit.

Once the video options issue and the Japanese game version bug are addressed, it will be easier to recommend this release. Remote Play Together didn’t work for me on either device in Twin Cobra as of this writing.