The Highest Reviewed Switch Games of 2023
2023 was simultaneously the best and worst year of my life personally, and in a bizarre reflection of that, it was also a great and terrible year for video games. We saw some of the best games released, huge sales, hype titles, and amazing collections on one hand, and on the other, we saw a lot of layoffs, studios shut down, and some huge scandals. Most importantly (for me anyway) it was the year I decided to chase the dream of resurrecting my Video games channel and pursue my dream as an entertainment writer, achieving press certifications and reviewing all manner of games. So with that in mind, let’s take a look at the highest review games of 2023, and stay to the end for my personal picks that may not have scored as well critically, but were my favorite titles of the year.
Potion Craft – 90
How can a game that consists of only 5 screens score so high? With its beautiful art style, seeing the world through that of a Renaissance painting, Potion Craft delivers addictive gameplay as you manage customers’ needs, gather ingredients, and explore what’s possible with your potion maps. The game features a great gameplay loop, deciding whether to make potions to do good, evil, or both. You will grind herbs, find better ways to make potions, and make a lot of coins in this Alchemist Simulator.
Vampire Survivors – 90
One of my games of the year. Simplistic in style, but featuring incredible depth and one of the most addictive gameplay loops, Vampire Survivors is a game everyone should play. Sure, it’s free on phones, but the Switch version features tight controls, multiplayer, and a great price point. Don’t be put off by the visual style of Vampire Survivors, it is one of the most fun games you will play if you give it the time of day… or night.
Ember Knights – 90
My first time dipping my toes into Rogue Like Adventures and what an adventure it was! Ember Knights feature some slick 2D sprites, mixed with fast-paced combat, and addictive loop, and varied environments. Ember Knights is a fantastic example of rewarding players with a constant stream of mechanics and items that combine to create a deeply rewarding system. Even better when played with friends!
Super Mario RPG – 90
Super Mario RPG was an absolute delight to review. I sat and played the whole thing from start to finish in one 16-hour sitting. I had never played the original so going in with no expectations made me love the game even more. It had so many different gameplay mechanics and each area introduced something new. The characters were well-written, and it was pretty cool to team up with Koopa, performing some great team power moves. The world was beautifully rendered, the characters full of charm, and the easy-to-play gameplay made it an incredible game from start to finish.
Hogwarts Legacy -90
Magical to say the least, Hogwarts Legacy is a miracle port, much like No Man’s Sky, and an impressive feat on the Nintendo Switch Console. The game was a wonderful glimpse into the world of wizarding, balancing lessons at the school while completing plenty of quests on the side to become a powerful magic user. The game offered a huge sense of scale and wonder, from the opening sequence to finally doing your flying lessons to open up a whole new level of freedom. Hogwarts Legacy is an amazing game that can be enjoyed even if you aren’t a huge Harry Potter fan.
No Mans Sky – 90
One of my all-time favourite games, No Man’s Sky keeps getting better thanks to the stellar support from Hello Games who have not only expanded content for the title but pulled a space rabbit out of their helmets to further increase the graphic fidelity, whilst simultaneously improving framerates. Now I know this game came out in 2022, but I reviewed it this year, and it absolutely belongs on this list. While Sean Murray may have announced his new title at the Game Awards, the team is still committing to further developing No Man’s Sky and we are here for it.
Let’s Build a Zoo + DLC – 92
An outstanding management sim where you build a zoo/aquarium/dinosaur park with cutesy 2D graphics, incredible depth, and outstanding replayability. Let’s Build a Zoo takes us back to the Bullfrog era of management games, allowing the player to customise things as much as they want. The DLC packs completely change the game by adding over 250 net buildings, animals, and exhibits, and let you play your way. Let’s Build a Zoo is packed with hours upon hours of gameplay at an affordable price point that’s well worth the price of entry.
Quake II Remaster – 92
Quake 2 Remaster was a surprise drop that went above and beyond the call of duty with a package that included remastered graphics, all expansions, a new expansion made exclusively for the remastered, and the Nintendo 64 version of Quake 2 included. The crazy part? The entire package was under $15 AUD. This remaster was recreated to respect the source material, but gave games something more than a fresh lick of paint, and introduced a new generation to one of the OG 3D Shooters.
F-Zero 99 – 92
The biggest surprise of 2023. Not the F-zero return fans were asking for, but certainly one we needed. F-Zero 99 brought F-zero into the Battle Royale Genre, pitting 99 players together in a high-speed, high-stakes race in the style of the subliminal Super Nes version of F-zero. F-Zero 99 is a fantastic use of the F-Zero brand, it honours the source material, adds new mechanics and gameplay features, and it an absolute blast to play. The game is free to anyone with a Nintendo Switch Online account and because of this, not only is it an easy recommendation for fans and newcomers alike, it could very easily show Nintendo that we are ready for a mainstream entry to this underrated and amazing IP.
Company of Heroes Collection – 92
An incredible port, a fantastic price, and 3 epic campaigns. Company of Heroes Collection is a masterclass in Real Time Strategy, featuring incredibly detailed graphics, in-depth strategy, and nail-biting gameplay. Games can last anywhere from 20 minutes to 4 hours in tense, cat-and-mouse games where every inch of ground is hard fought for. Company of Heroes is one of my all-time favourite games, and I was skeptical of how it would perform on Switch. I’m pleased to report it’s pixel-perfect. The Multiplayer is being added early this year so expect an updated review soon.
Star Ocean Second Story R – 94
A Breathtaking adventure in Square Enix’s beautiful 2.5D graphics engine similar to the Octopath series. Star Ocean is an absorbing JRPG that draws you in with its great voice-acted characters, gorgeous art style, and captivating gameplay. There’s plenty to do in the game, including finding hidden characters to join your party, fishing, and losing yourself in an intricate crafting system. The reworked battle mechanics breathe fresh life into an already great game, and shouldn’t be missed by RPG fans.
Pikmin 4 – 94
Hand down the most visually impressive title on the Switch, Pikmin 4 managed to make the series feel fresh while staying true to its roots. The game featured more varied environments, clever puzzles and dungeons to solve, and deviously tricky boss battles. Pikmin 4 was clearly developed as a labour of love, with the player in mind, adding many quality-of-life improvements to welcome a new audience to the series, while accommodating lifelong fans, usually something very difficult to pull off, but executed perfectly.
Dave the Diver – 94
Stylish, relaxing, and oozing charm, Dave the Diver is a superb game to play. Diving by day, and managing a sushi bar by night, Dave the Diver has something for everyone. Its incredibly fun and addictive gameplay loop will keep you hooked, as well as the gorgeous pixel art style. You will fall in love with the world of Dave the Diver which keeps introducing new mechanics even when you are 15 hours in. It also now has free Dredge-themed DLC adding more depth (pun intended) to the game. If you haven’t played Dave the Diver, download the demo today, it’s outstanding!
Super Mario Wonder – 96
Nintendo is at its absolute best. Super Mario Wonder is a prime example of how relaxed dev time leads to innovation. The team brought Mario and their friends to life with their incredibly detailed animations, beautiful 2D environments, and mixing up the formula with Wonder Seeds. Mario Wonder is an essential game for all Switch owners, and you will have a blast playing the game alongside friends and family. Here’s hoping that more developers follow the new trend of relaxed release dates and exploration of ideas. Because of this, Nintendo has delivered an outstanding game that is indeed full of Wonder.
My Personal Picks:
Here are a few honorable mentions of my top 3 new releases this year that may not have ticked all the critical boxes. Let me know what your game of the year is. It doesn’t have to be a AAA title that was game of the year material, what game hooked you in 2023? Here’s Mine:
WarTales – Originally 74, now 88
Wartales had a rough launch… well that’s an understatement. Wartales was broken on launch, and despite this, it was still an incredible game despite crashing every 30 minutes. It took a few patches and a couple of months and while there’s still a few issues, Wartales is now stable. It’s an incredible world that doesn’t revolve around your band of mercenaries, you simply exist in the narrative. It’s turn-based combat, team management, and complex systems all come together to create something really special. Here’s hoping the game sees more support in 2024, and developer Shiro Games releases the Pirates expansion pack that just dropped on PC.
Cyber TD – 86
A unique concept where you level up a singular tower in a tower defence game. The player builds a deck of cards which are randomised throughout each playthrough to help bolster your tower defenses. Do you focus on Lasers and Range? Or short-range heavy-hitting missiles? There’s a great risk/reward system at play and the game’s addictive nature always gave me a “just one more turn” mentality while playing. If you haven’t tried Cyber TD, do yourself a favour and check it out.
Farming Simulator 2023 – 74
This was pretty much the game that started it all for me this year. I got it the day after my birthday and played an OFFENSIVE amount of time. I still jump in from time to time to tend my fields and sell my products. While I’ve been told the game is a somewhat lighter version of the current-gen console counterparts, I had so much delight in playing the game, managing AI employees, and setting up industries. Despite being about 140 hours in, I’m still yet to scratch the surface of animal husbandry and the new free update that has added in the Aussie classic Sugar Cane!
There it is. I want to take the time to thank you all for being a part of What’s It Like. My personal goal was to make this my full-time job and I’m almost there. I promise to continue to listen and apply constructive feedback, and I have been very humbled by all the views, comments, article reads, and YouTube subs. What’s it Like exists because of you the reader/viewer, and I’ll be forever grateful for that.
May 2024 bring you all something amazing. Thank you.
