REVIEW: Gobliiins Collection (2026 Video Game) - on Nintendo Switch

Review by Jon Donnis

Gobliiins Collection arrives on Nintendo Switch in 2026 as a sizeable archive of puzzle adventure history, bringing together the first five entries in the long running series originally released on PC between 1991 and 2023. It presents itself less as a modern remake and more as a carefully preserved museum piece, and in that respect it largely succeeds.

What stands out immediately is how faithful the collection feels to the originals. These are not reinterpretations or softened reworks, but direct reproductions of the classic games, including multiple versions of the early entries such as MS DOS, CD-ROM and Macintosh builds. For anyone who remembers the series from its early days, there is a clear sense that the developers have tried to preserve the odd, slightly chaotic identity that defined Gobliiins from the start. The humour is intact, the tone remains stubbornly peculiar, and the puzzles still demand patience and lateral thinking in equal measure.

There is also a surprising amount of extra material included, which goes some way to broadening the appeal beyond nostalgia alone. The music player draws from all five games and offers a simple but effective way to revisit the series’ distinctive audio identity. The inclusion of 3D models of original packaging and a gallery of design documents adds a layer of archival interest that feels genuinely thoughtful rather than decorative. The documentary mini series, featuring a new interview with Pierre Gilhodes, co creator of Gobliiins, gives the package a human anchor that helps explain why these games still matter to a small but loyal audience.

On Switch, the games themselves translate reasonably well to console play. Point and click design has always been a tricky fit outside of a mouse driven environment, but the adaptation is serviceable enough that it rarely becomes a barrier. The underlying challenge remains intact, which will please long time players. These puzzles are still uncompromising, sometimes almost wilfully obscure, and that difficulty curve has not been softened for a modern audience. There is a charm in that stubbornness, even if it occasionally tips into frustration.

That said, the collection is not without its shortcomings. The omission of Gobliins 6: The Madmen of the Year 1000, released earlier in the same year, feels like a glaring gap in what is otherwise marketed as a comprehensive set. It is difficult not to see this as an oversight, particularly given the emphasis on completeness elsewhere in the package. There is also the simple reality that these games remain extremely tough by contemporary standards. What once felt like playful experimentation can now feel opaque, and not every player will have the patience to push through its more punishing moments.

Taken as a whole, Gobliiins Collection is best understood as a preservation project aimed squarely at returning fans and puzzle enthusiasts rather than newcomers. It captures the spirit of the original games with care, supports them with meaningful archival extras, and presents them in a convenient modern format. At the same time, it does little to smooth their rough edges or address the long standing difficulty spikes that defined the series from the beginning.

Gobliiins Collection ultimately feels like a well curated time capsule rather than a reinvention. For those who grew up with the series, it is an easy recommendation, even with its gaps and frustrations. For everyone else, it is a curious, often demanding glimpse into a very particular corner of puzzle game history. A solid 7 out of 10 still feels about right, balancing preservation, nostalgia and the occasional reminder that these games were never interested in being easy.

Out Now on Nintendo Switch

https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/Gobliiins-Collection-3108751.html

REVIEW: Gecko Gods (2026 Video Game) - on Nintendo Switch

By Jon Donnis

Gecko Gods is a straightforward puzzle adventure that puts players in control of a small gecko exploring a forgotten archipelago filled with ancient ruins, puzzles, hidden relics and collectables. Built around exploration and movement, the game offers a relaxing experience that encourages players to take their time, search every corner and uncover the many secrets hidden across its islands.

The biggest strength of Gecko Gods is simply how enjoyable it is to play. Controlling the gecko feels fun throughout the adventure, helped greatly by the freedom of movement. The ability to climb almost every surface allows exploration to feel natural and rewarding, whether scaling walls, traversing ceilings or searching for hidden areas. The game constantly encourages curiosity, and there is always the feeling that something interesting might be waiting just out of sight.

The scenery is another major highlight. Gecko Gods presents a vibrant and attractive world that is enjoyable to spend time in. Exploring the various islands, ruins and caves is consistently engaging, and the world itself feels interesting from start to finish. Sailing between islands on a small wooden boat helps break up the gameplay and provides access to new locations filled with secrets to discover.

Collectables play a significant role in the experience. Relics can be found hidden throughout secret areas across the islands, while insects can be collected by dashing into them and adding them to a growing collection. Players can also smash objects with a dash attack to earn currency, which can then be spent on cosmetic options. These additional activities give players plenty of reasons to thoroughly explore every location.

The puzzle design deserves praise as well. This is a solid little puzzle adventure that understands how to challenge players without becoming frustrating. The puzzles are just difficult enough to require some thought, but never so demanding that progress becomes irritating. As a result, solving them remains satisfying throughout the game's relatively short running time.

There are also some nice visual touches. As the gecko takes damage, its colour changes to reflect its condition. Take too much damage and its tail can even fall off. Thankfully, the tail regenerates over time, keeping the mechanic light-hearted and in keeping with the game's charming presentation.

While Gecko Gods gets a lot right, it does have a few issues. The biggest problem comes from the climbing system. Because the gecko can move across so many different surfaces, controls can sometimes become confusing. Depending on the surface being climbed and the angle of the third-person camera, movement can feel inverted, making certain sections more awkward than they should be.

Navigation can also become a challenge for the wrong reasons. Although the environments are vibrant and visually appealing, many of the structures and landscape features look quite similar. This makes it easy to get turned around while exploring and can occasionally make it difficult to remember where you have already been.

The game's length may also disappoint some players. The main story can be completed in around four to six hours, with full completion taking a little over seven hours. While the adventure remains enjoyable throughout, there is not a great deal of replayability once everything has been found and completed. At around £16.75 on Nintendo Switch, the price feels a little high for the amount of content available.

Gecko Gods is a fun, straightforward puzzle adventure with an adorable main character, enjoyable exploration, challenging but fair puzzles and nice clear graphics. Despite some occasional control frustrations, similar-looking environments and a lack of replayability once completed, it remains an entertaining experience that is easy to recommend to fans of relaxed exploration games.

Score: 7.5 out of 10

Out Now on Switch

https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/Gecko-Gods-2480777.html

REVIEW: FORENSIC - M.E. Protocol (2026 Video Game) - on Nintendo Switch

Review by Jon Donnis

FORENSIC - M.E. Protocol places players in the role of a forensic investigator tasked with examining crime scenes, gathering evidence and piecing together exactly what happened. Across nine separate cases, each featuring its own setting and storyline, the game focuses on observation, deduction and methodical detective work rather than action or spectacle. From grim alleyways to seemingly ordinary residential streets, every location hides clues that slowly reveal a darker truth.

At its best, FORENSIC - M.E. Protocol delivers an experience that feels refreshingly different from the usual detective game. The emphasis on patience and logical thinking is one of its strongest qualities. Rather than rushing players through objectives, the game encourages careful exploration and rewards those willing to inspect every corner of a crime scene. The absence of timers and fail states helps create a more relaxed pace, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in each investigation without unnecessary pressure.

The variety between cases also deserves praise. Although the core gameplay remains largely the same throughout, each scenario introduces a different environment and narrative backdrop. This helps prevent the investigations from becoming too repetitive and keeps players curious about what the next case will involve. The mature themes, ranging from kidnappings to crimes of passion, give the stories a darker edge that suits the subject matter.

One of the more interesting aspects of the game is its collection of specialist forensic tools. Players can deploy drones to reach difficult locations, send ground robots beneath vehicles and utilise analysis equipment to examine evidence. These mechanics help reinforce the feeling that you are performing genuine forensic work rather than simply clicking on highlighted objects. There is satisfaction in uncovering a clue using the right piece of equipment and gradually assembling the larger picture.

The realistic approach to crime scene investigation is another area where the game succeeds. Much of the enjoyment comes from slowly reconstructing events through observation and evidence gathering. Players who enjoy investigative gameplay and detailed problem solving will likely appreciate the deliberate pace and focus on procedure.

Unfortunately, many of the game's strengths are undermined by serious problems on Nintendo Switch. The biggest issue is that FORENSIC - M.E. Protocol simply does not feel suited to console controls. This is clearly a game designed around the precision of a mouse, and the transition to a gamepad is a poor one. Navigating scenes, examining objects and interacting with evidence often feels awkward and frustrating. What might have been straightforward on PC becomes cumbersome when using analogue sticks and buttons.

The situation becomes even worse in handheld mode. The small screen makes spotting evidence significantly more difficult, to the point where some investigations become frustrating rather than engaging. Important clues can blend into the environment, and missing a tiny detail can halt progress entirely. While the game is at least more manageable on a television, the control issues never truly disappear.

Progression itself can also become irritating due to the game's rigid structure. While investigative games naturally require players to follow evidence, FORENSIC - M.E. Protocol often insists on a very specific sequence of actions before allowing progress. There are moments where players may have already worked out what happened, yet the game refuses to move forward because a particular step has not been completed in the expected order. This rigidity can make investigations feel less rewarding and more like following a checklist.

The voice acting does little to improve matters. Performances frequently sound unnatural and lack conviction, making it difficult to become invested in the stories being told. During key moments, the delivery can feel distracting rather than immersive.

Replay value is also virtually non-existent. Once a case has been solved and every twist uncovered, there is little reason to return. The mystery is the primary attraction, and once the answers are known, the experience loses most of its appeal.

FORENSIC - M.E. Protocol contains the foundations of an interesting forensic investigation game. The use of specialist tools, varied cases and focus on logical deduction all show genuine promise. However, the Nintendo Switch version struggles under the weight of poor controls, frustrating progression systems and significant usability issues, particularly in handheld mode.

This is a game that feels far more at home on PC than on a console. The investigative concepts remain intriguing, but the execution on Nintendo Switch turns what should be engaging detective work into an often tedious and awkward experience. FORENSIC - M.E. Protocol could have been much better than it is, but in its current form it is difficult to recommend.

Score: 4 out of 10.

Out Now on Nintendo Switch

https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/FORENSIC-M-E-Protocol-3115279.html

REVIEW: Lost Twins 2 (2026 Video Game) - on Nintendo Switch

Review by Jon Donnis

In a gaming landscape obsessed with combat, chaos, and constant noise, this Nintendo Switch puzzler takes the opposite route. It slows things down, trusts the player to experiment, and builds its entire identity around creativity and calm exploration. The result is one of the most charming puzzle platformers to arrive on Switch in quite some time.

At the centre of the game are Abi and Ben, two separated twins navigating a strange and dreamlike world made from shifting pathways and floating puzzle pieces. The core mechanic revolves around physically rearranging the environment itself. Entire sections of levels can be moved, swapped, or rotated to create new routes forward. It sounds simple on paper, but the way the game constantly builds upon the idea is genuinely impressive.

What makes the puzzles work so well is how carefully balanced they are. They are challenging enough to make you pause and think through your next move, but never so frustrating that progress grinds to a halt. Every solution feels logical once it clicks into place. That steady sense of reward gives the game a wonderfully satisfying rhythm, where each completed puzzle feels earned rather than handed to you.

Visually, Lost Twins 2 is absolutely lovely. The influence of Studio Ghibli and the work of Hayao Miyazaki is impossible to miss, though thankfully it never feels like outright imitation. The soft colour palette, handcrafted environments, and expressive animation give the game a warmth that suits its relaxed pacing perfectly. There is a cosy, storybook quality to the presentation that makes even the smallest moments enjoyable to look at.

The soundtrack deserves equal praise. Gentle piano melodies and ambient orchestral tracks quietly sit in the background, adding atmosphere without ever becoming intrusive. Combined with the game's slow, thoughtful pacing, it creates an experience that feels genuinely relaxing to play. It is the sort of game you can disappear into for an hour without noticing the time pass.

Importantly, the gameplay never becomes repetitive. New mechanics are introduced at a steady pace throughout the adventure. Pressure switches, lifts, breakable domes, water gates, and environmental interactions constantly reshape how puzzles are approached. The game keeps layering fresh ideas into the mix just before older mechanics risk becoming stale.

Playing solo works remarkably well thanks to the ability to switch between Abi and Ben, each often needing to stand in specific positions or interact with different parts of the environment. That said, local co-op is where Lost Twins 2 truly shines. Solving puzzles together with another player feels natural and genuinely rewarding. Communication becomes part of the challenge, and there is real satisfaction in figuring out solutions side by side on the sofa.

The controls can also take a little time to settle into. Shifting the world around and swapping between characters occasionally feels fiddly during the opening stages, particularly in handheld mode. Thankfully, once the control scheme clicks into place, it becomes far easier to navigate instinctively.

On the positive side, the game feels perfectly suited to the Nintendo Switch Lite. The pick up and play structure, relaxing pace, and compact puzzle design make it ideal for handheld sessions. Few games this year have felt so naturally at home on Nintendo's portable hardware.

What really separates Lost Twins 2 from so many other puzzle games is its complete lack of pressure. There are no enemies chasing you, no timers counting down, and no punishment for experimentation. The game simply invites you to explore, think, and enjoy the process of discovery. That design philosophy gives it a broad appeal that works equally well for younger players and adults looking for something more thoughtful and relaxing.

The story itself is fairly light, and those hoping for deep character development or major narrative twists may come away slightly underwhelmed. Still, the game understands exactly where its strengths lie. The creativity of the puzzles, the warmth of the art direction, and the peaceful atmosphere carry the experience effortlessly from beginning to end.

It is rare to find a puzzle game this inventive while also remaining so welcoming and accessible. Lost Twins 2 manages to feel clever without becoming smug about it, and relaxing without ever becoming dull. Beautifully designed and consistently engaging, this is one of the Switch's most delightful hidden gems of 2026.

9/10

Out Now on the Nintendo Switch for about £13.49

https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/Lost-Twins-2-3055149.html

Thank you to Playdew for the Key.

REVIEW: Romancing SaGa-Minstrel Song-Remastered International (Video Game on Nintendo Switch)

Review by Jon Donnis

A role-playing game that refuses to hold your hand can feel refreshing in a way most modern releases no longer risk. Romancing SaGa Minstrel Song Remastered International on the Nintendo Switch leans into that philosophy completely. It expects patience, experimentation and a willingness to get lost. Sometimes literally. That will either feel exciting or exhausting depending on what you want from an RPG.

Originally released as a PlayStation 2 remake of the 1992 Super Famicom title, this remastered version by SQUARE ENIX and Red Art Games brings the cult classic to a new audience with upgraded visuals, gameplay refinements and added French, German, Italian and Spanish text localisation options. The ability to switch between Japanese and English voice acting is also included, which long time fans will appreciate.

From the opening music alone, the game sets a theatrical and slightly surreal tone. Mardias feels ancient, mysterious and unpredictable. The story revolves around scattered Fatestones and the return of long sealed evil gods, but the narrative is not really the focus. The real emphasis is the path you choose to take through it.

The free scenario system remains one of its most distinctive features. You select one of eight protagonists, each with their own background, motivations and starting circumstances, then explore a world that rarely guides you in a straight line. It creates a genuine sense of adventure that many modern RPGs struggle to replicate. You are not simply moving from objective to objective. You are exploring, experimenting and sometimes walking into situations you are not ready for.

That freedom is both its greatest strength and its biggest weakness.

There is real satisfaction in slowly learning how everything works. The combat system, built around Glimmer and Combo mechanics, has considerable depth. Learning abilities during battle feels rewarding, and linking attacks between party members can turn difficult encounters into something far more dynamic. Battles demand attention and planning rather than repetition.

At the same time, the game can feel deliberately unclear. Quest progression is often vague, and there are moments where direction is almost entirely absent. It is easy to spend long stretches unsure whether you are progressing correctly. Some players will find that liberating, others will find it frustrating.

Progression can also be slow. Grinding is part of the experience, and difficulty spikes appear without warning. The game does not adjust itself to your readiness. It will punish poor preparation and force you to rethink your approach. There is a deliberate old school harshness to its design that can feel tiring during longer sessions.

Even so, there is a strong sense of charm running through the whole experience. The visual presentation holds up well thanks to the remaster, with stylised character models and colourful fantasy environments that suit the tone. Performance on Switch is stable in both docked and handheld play.

The soundtrack is another highlight. Several tracks stay with you long after playing, particularly the opening theme, which gives the game a strong sense of scale and identity. Voice acting is solid in both language options, even if it occasionally feels uneven by modern standards.

What stands out most in Romancing SaGa Minstrel Song Remastered International is how uncompromising it remains. Many modern RPGs are built to smooth over friction and keep players constantly moving forward. This game does the opposite. It slows you down, confuses you, challenges you and sometimes frustrates you. When it clicks, though, it becomes deeply absorbing.

It is not a game for everyone. If you prefer clear direction and steady progression, it will likely feel rough. If you enjoy experimentation and systems that do not immediately reveal themselves, there is a lot to dig into here.

Romancing SaGa Minstrel Song Remastered International preserves the identity of a cult classic while making it accessible to a wider audience. It is still tough, still uneven in places, and still unapologetically old fashioned, but it also offers a level of freedom and personality that few RPGs match.

A difficult but fascinating RPG that rewards patience and curiosity with a long, memorable journey.

7 out of 10.

Out Now on Nintendo Switch

https://amzn.to/4u3dT2r

REVIEW: Call of the Sea (2025 Video Game) - on Nintendo Switch

Review by Jon Donnis

Call of the Sea is a first-person adventure from Out of the Blue, published by Raw Fury. You play as Norah, voiced by Cissy Jones, who travels to a remote island in the South Pacific during the 1930s to track down her missing husband, Harry, voiced by Yuri Lowenthal. There's no combat here, the focus is on exploring the island and working through puzzles.

The setting is the first thing that stands out. The island looks beautiful, with its bright colours, strange ruins and hidden corners that keep you curious about what's next. The presentation has real character, and Norah herself is a big part of that. Jones gives her a voice that feels warm and believable, and the story carries both mystery and emotion as it unravels.

Most of your time is spent solving puzzles. They come at a steady pace, usually clever and well thought out, and when they click they feel rewarding. The game clearly has a lot of care behind it, both in how the puzzles are built and in how the story pushes you forward.

Not everything lands perfectly. Some of the puzzles are tough, even with the hints available, and a few times I ended up checking online to figure out the solution. That can be a slippery slope, because once you've done it once it's tempting to do it again rather than wrestle with the harder sections. Playing on a Nintendo Switch Lite also showed up a few technical hiccups, with some stuttering in the animation, though it was never enough to ruin the experience.

Call of the Sea isn't the sort of game you'll replay often, but as a one-off adventure it works well. The combination of its striking island setting, its story full of heart, and a run of puzzles that mostly land makes it worth picking up if you enjoy thoughtful puzzle-driven games.

I score Call of the Sea a solid 7.5 out of 10.

Out Now on multiple formats

https://amzn.to/3Vk6Rq9

And on Nintendo Digital

https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/Call-of-the-Sea-2904504.html