Only one video game series lets me beat up industry icons like Pikachu and Donkey Kong as I play as Super Mario, the biggest icon of them all. Of course, this description can only fit Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. franchise. As absurd as its concept is, though, I’ve never thought twice about it — as with many other video game fans, the series has been a regular part of my life since childhood.

However, there’s something about the latest Super Smash Bros. entry that made me do a double take. As I struggled to take down an especially tough Zelda, I employed an assist trophy for help. Expecting a big-time video game character like Waluigi or Bomberman to appear from the trophy capsule, I instead got indie character Shovel Knight.

On top of being a popular fighting series, Super Smash Bros. serves as a  who’s who in video games. I was surprised, then, to see an indie game character alongside classic figures such as Mario and Zelda. Considering the current state of the industry, though, my surprise was unjustified, as to be indie no longer means to be separate from mainstream gaming.

Although Shovel Knight’s appearance in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is indicative of the indie scene’s growing prominence, it’s also representative of why this trend exists — since the beginning of the Switch era, Nintendo has treated indie games with almost as much importance as its own franchises.

Such a focus on these games is not only evident in the Switch’s large number of indie games but also in Nintendo’s marketing operations. After its Switch Presentation in January 2017 left many wondering what other first-party games were in the system’s pipeline, some hoped for immediate answers. While a Nintendo Direct broadcast in the same month revealed Fire Emblem Warriors, the company had a different priority.

Shortly before the Switch’s launch, Nintendo aired a presentation similar to a Nintendo Direct but under a new label: Nintendo Switch Nindies Showcase. Rather than information about first-party games, this broadcast was dedicated to news regarding indie games bound for the system — and yes, Nintendo even created a word for indie titles available on its platforms.

Though this presentation was a first for the company, it was not the first indication the indie scene would play a major role in its plans for the Switch. As Nintendo made the system’s 2017 release schedule more transparent in early February, it became clear it wouldn’t come out with another major, non-port title until months after the launch of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. However, Nintendo made sure fans would still have many other games to play until the next first-party one.

While some of these games included third-party games from major publishers, nindies did more of the heavy lifting, as they not only outnumbered the former but also filled the Switch’s pressing genre gaps. For example, Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove made up for the absence of 2D platformers like Mario and Donkey Kong, and titles like World of Goo and Snake Pass gave players their puzzle game fix.

By letting these games provide the essential experiences that would otherwise be missing, Nintendo not only demonstrated its favor of the indie scene but also legitimized it.

As the company continued to foster the indie community via more Nindies Showcases and other promotions, it began to create a distinct identity for its new console. Whereas video game companies had traditionally flaunted the number of high-budget titles on their systems, Nintendo saw a selling point in the Switch’s growing indie catalog.

With one of the three main console makers treating indies as more than just supplementary content, these games gained exposure among video game fans at large, as the subsequent actions of the other console makers can attest.

For example, Microsoft’s heavy promotion of Cuphead shortly before its 2017 release would’ve been hard to believe if it weren’t for the indie scene’s heightened popularity — in previous years, such pride in a 2D, hand-drawn title as a console exclusive would’ve been unusual.

Additions to Xbox’s indie library continue to receive fanfare from Microsoft. In its 2018 E3 briefing, the company demonstrated its attitude toward these games by following the reveal for the major Halo Infinite with a trailer for the upcoming indie title Ori and the Will of the Wisps. Furthermore, it considered its acquisition of independent developer Compulsion Games so important it announced it during the presentation.

When it comes to Sony, the company’s free PlayStation Plus offerings reflect its increased focus on the indie scene. Considering its recent reduction of six free choices per month to two, many would assume it would prioritize AAA titles over indie ones. However, in both months since the reduction occurred, one of the two options has been an independent title. In the eyes of Sony, then, such games are of comparable value to that of their bigger-budget counterparts. 

Though Shovel Knight’s appearance in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a clear manifestation of this entrance of indies into the mainstream, this phenomenon is most apparent in Nintendo’s announcement of Cadence of Hyrule in March. By allowing an indie developer to utilize elements of the classic Legend of the Zelda franchise in its own game, the company continues to show “indie” and “mainstream” are no longer opposite terms.

Currently, Nintendo shows no signs of slowing down its support of the indie community. As the Switch library develops further, it will be interesting to see how the company will keep pushing the envelope regarding the definition of “indie.”

In any case, though, it’s safe to say it’s already changed the name of the indie game.

Yonder: The Cloud Chaser Chronicles

Everywhere I've been on the internet while looking for great kids games of 2017, I've repeatedly seen Yonder: The Cloud Chaser Chronicles mentioned, and if you are familiar with the game, then you will know why.

This beautiful adventure game focuses on exploration and crafting as its staple theme. There is no combat in the game, which makes it ideal for younger children and makes the game very relaxing and easy going. As you explore the island of Gemea, you befriend and train animals, gather fruit and resources, and then build your own farm to help generate food and resources for the inhabitants of the island.

Yonder is out on Steam now for PC and also available on the PS4.

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Do your children play any of the games on this list? Maybe they play something else? If so, please let us know which games your children play so that we can check it out as well! 

Ben 10

Even though Ben 10 has just been released, it would be hard not to include it on a list of games for kids. From its humble beginnings as a kids cartoon, the Ben 10 franchise just keeps on growing! 

This latest addition is an action-adventure game, and once again you play as Ben as you try to save the world from some of the series' most famous villains, including Queen Bee, Zombozo, and the Weatherheads. As usual, there are 10 alien creatures to transform into, so kids are going to enjoy exploring new abilities and the looks of these new forms.

Ben 10 is currently available on Steam for PC and also available on PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

Portal Knights

So far, this list has been missing an RPG, so here comes Portal Knights to fill that spot. This sandbox action-RPG is fantastic for teaching kids about teamwork and team dynamics.

In Portal Knights, you take on the role of a Warrior, Mage, or Ranger who must travel to different worlds to lots of different islands to combat the effects of the great Fracture. Each island is randomly generated and offers a variety of unique environments, creatures, and resources for crafting. The crafting and gathering side of things is a nod to Minecraft, while the look of some of the land and characters themselves are quite reminiscent of LEGO.

This game caters very well to two types of players -- the first being younger players who will enjoy mining and crafting items as well as the farming aspect of the game; the second being older kids, who may enjoy a more in-depth combat system.

Portal Knights is currently available on Steam for PC, but it is also available on PS4 and Xbox One.

A Hat in Time

Since its release in October, A Hat in Time has done incredibly well, gaining an overwhelmingly positive reception on Steam. Just from looking at the animation and storyline, you can see that this is a good game for kids! Plus, a game that has a kid as its main character is a nice way of getting kids interested in the game. If it weren't for a couple of cases of bad language, this game would have a universal rating.

The game follows the adventures of a space-traveling little girl who has a love of hats. As she explores new worlds in order to retrieve some missing items, she gets to craft new hats with different abilities to help her out such as a witch's hat that allows her to cook potions.

A Hat in Time is currently available on Steam for PC and Mac.

Sonic Forces

There have a number of Sonic releases this year, but for this list, we are recommending the most recent, Sonic Forces. The titular character has long been one of the characters associated with games, and kids love him! In this new game, you and Sonic have to save the world from Dr Eggman and a new villain called Infinite by bringing together an army to defeat them.

Sonic Forces brings back the much-loved platforms mechanics from previous games as well as adding some 3D action in for good measure. One of the big drawing points of the game is the fact that players get to create their own character to join Sonic on his missions.

The game is currently available on Steam for PC but is also available on PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

Brawlout

This little gem of an indie fighting game is a fun way of bringing the genre to kids. While consoles have had a cartoon-type fighter for many years, there don't seem to be many out on PC, so Brawlout is a welcomed addition. 

The concept of a fighting game is pretty self-explanatory, but this game adds platforms to the mix, making the gameplay a bit more dynamic and fast-paced. Each character has its own unique playstyle such as a Nordic-looking Walrus-type character who uses ice attacks to freeze people in place or a  Porcupine character who uses electric shocks to stun.

Brawlout is currently available on Steam for PC.

Yooka Laylee

As the cover slide suggested, Yooka Laylee was going to appear on this list somewhere. It was one of the most anticipated games of the year -- how could it not be?! All the beautiful animation and quirky characters make this very much suitable for kids.

Of course, today's kids probably won't know about the game's predecessor, Banjo-Kazooie, so they will be going into it with no expectations or thinking that it has anything to live up to. Whether they just want to explore or go straight into collecting, this will keep kids occupied for ages. Younger players might have a little bit of trouble getting the hang of all the controls, but once they've mastered them, they will love playing this game!

Yooka Laylee is available on Steam for PC, Mac, and Linux and also available on PS4 and Xbox One.

Cuphead

What do you mean I can't include Cuphead on a list for kids? Alright, it isn't really suitable for younger kids, but I still think it is OK for older ones. I agree that it isn't an easy game. Having put in numerous hours and still not really gotten anywhere, I can attest to its difficulty, but as with anything, practice makes perfect and, yes, I think older kids can get to grips with it.

The animation in the game is amusing and very well done, and if kids watch retro cartoons on certain kid's TV channels, there is nothing really that they haven't seen before.

Cuphead is currently available on Steam for PC and also available on Xbox One.

LEGO Worlds

We couldn't have a list of great PC games for kids without having a building game on the list somewhere. Since the obvious one has been out for many years now, it couldn't be included, so we turn to the ultimate building franchise for this slide.

LEGO Worlds was released at the beginning of the year and brings everything you'd expect from a LEGO building game. The game features an open world with procedurally generated environments that you can fully manipulate. Kids can build whatever they can imagine by either moving things brick by brick or by using a prefabricated building and then customizing it. 

LEGO Worlds is currently available on Steam for PC as well as on PS4 and Xbox One.

Snake Pass

Released early in 2017 was beautiful physics-based puzzle-platformer Snake Pass from British developer Sumo Digital. In Snake Pass, you play as a snake called Noodle, and with the help of his hummingbird friend, Doodle, you need to move around various locations collecting gate gems to progress to the next level. That's it. The premise of the game is to collect items to move on.

There are no enemies, no fighting, no dialogue, and no other characters to interact with. This makes it an ideal game for kids because they just get to complete the puzzles and get instant gratification in doing so. Yes, the movements might be a bit taxing for younger players, but once they start thinking like a slithering snake, it makes it easier to move.

In addition to being available on PC via Steam, Snake Pass is also available on PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

2017 has been an amazing year for video games across all platforms, but with the likes of Destiny 2 and Assassins Creed: Origins being big hits with all the attention, it is sometimes hard to see which games released this year are suitable for children. 

Kids this year have been spoilt for choice, both from AAA developers as well as indies. Whether it is platformers or puzzlers, there have been some great titles released this year for younger gamers. 

Being a parent of young children, I know what kinds of games my kids and their friends like, so based on this, I have selected 10 PC games that I think your kids will love as well. These are games that will test and excite younger and older kids alike, so there is something for everyone!

Fast RMX 

The sequel to Fast Racing Neo from the Wii U, Fast RMX comes to the Switch with all the previous game's content and more. Including new tracks and racing machines, the game even has 4-player split screen multiplayer and online multiplayer with up to eight Switch systems.

This is a game for all those people looking for a new F-Zero game or even a game to play with friends that don't own a Switch. It's a fast paced and incredibly challenging racing experience that even supports split-screen play.

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These and many other games on the e-shop are all great titles worth your time and money. You just have to take the time to look. And when you find them, share them in the comments below so others can find these great games.

For more Switch coverage and more keep your eyes on Gameskinny.

KAMIKO 

Kamiko is a very small, very cheap game. You play through five small levels as one of three characters, each with their own weapon and attacks to go with it. The goal in each level is simple, find and charge four shrines in order to access a boss. If you've ever played Titan Souls the bosses here feel very reminiscent of the bosses in that.

If you're the kind of person that likes time trials, the game even times you and keeps your records. Kamiko is a simple little fun game that's good if you're looking for something super cheap.

Snake Pass 

Snake Pass is a collectothon with very unique movement mechanics. You play as a snake named Noodle and traverse the levels by moving like a snake.

By slithering, wrapping yourself around poles, and performing other snake-like movements, you traverse diverse levels collecting everything you need to complete the level and more. The style feels very similar to Banjo-Kazooie, though the only connection between the two are the composer Grant Kirkhope. If you're a fan of Banjo-Kazooie or indie games with really unique mechanics, you should definitely pick up Snake Pass .

VOEZ 

Voez is a rhythm game that was originally free to play on smartphones. However, on Switch, you pay one price and get the whole game from the get go. It also stands out because it is currently the only game on the console that can only be played in handheld mode because all the controls are on the touchscreen.

Voez offers a large library of original tracks that offers a challenge to even the most hardcore rhythm game fan. If you like rhythm games and own a Switch, you should definitely pick this one up.

Shovel Knight

Shovel Knight was one of the first big Kickstarter success stories. Released in 2014, it took the gaming world by surprise with simple yet challenging 2D platforming gameplay, a great story with humorous dialogue, and a nostalgic 8-bit art style. 

Originally, the biggest selling point for the Switch version of Shovel Knight was that the "Treasure Trove" expansion would first be released on the Switch, which included the "Shadow of Torment" campaign and the gender swap mode. Though, by now, that's out on all other systems, too.

Regardless, Shovel Knight is an awesome game that received acclaim from both critics and gamers alike. That alone should put it on your wishlist. 

It's been a little over four months since the release of Nintendo's latest console, the Nintendo Switch. Since launch, the console has been incredibly successful, flying off the shelves faster than Nintendo can stock them. But there's arguably been a dearth of great games for the console. The most notable game for the system so far has been The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which absorbed even those who'd sworn off the franchise.

But other than Breath of the Wild, what else is there to play on the Switch? Maybe you've already grown tired of the game or maybe you were never interested in it in the first place. Either way, there are some great games on the Switch that you can play right now, even if you aren't interested in Nintendo games at all  -- and you simply love the idea of having all your games on the go.

The Past Fondly Remembered

Although all of the games on this list released just this year, their inspirations and/or source material shows how much players and creators appreciate the nostalgia the past has provided.

With more remasters, new games based off of older properties, and spiritual successors to games of the past still to be announced and released, the nostalgic past won't be forgotten any time soon.

PaRappa The Rapper Remastered 

Platforms: PlayStation 4

One of the first modern rhythm games is back, and features updated HD graphics and sound.

PaRappa The Rapper is an iconic game which is commonly credited for starting the modern rhythm game genre. In the game, you play as amateur rapping dog, Parappa, as he tries to impress the girl he likes and learns to believe in himself.

PaRappa The Rapper Remastered is a great musical experience with a catchy soundtrack--although arguably not as good as the soundtrack of the sequel-- and can provide fun for any fan of late 90's PlayStation Games.

PaRappa The Rapper Remastered is available for download on PlayStation 4. The sequel to the original game, PaRappa The Rapper 2, is available for download in the PS2 for PS4 section.

Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap 

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap is a remake of the 1989 Sega Master System game, Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap.

In the game you play a Hu-Man, a character who has been cursed into being a half-human and half-lizard monster by the Meka-Dragon, on his journey to find the Salamander Cross so he can remove his curse.

 You can also play as Hu-Girl, Hu-Man's new co-star, Lizard-Man, Mouse-Man, Piranha-Man, Lion-Man, and Hawk-Man, who each have their own unique special abilities.

With amazing hand-drawn graphics, a re-orchestrated soundtrack, and the ability to switch from modern graphics and sound to 8-bit graphics/audio whenever you want, Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap provides an enjoyable experience for both players who grew up in the 1980's and newer players today.

Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap is available for download on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. The game is also planned for release on PC in June 2017.

Snake Pass 

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

Snake Pass, is a recently released platformer developed by Sumo Digital.

Like Yooka-Laylee, was also inspired by Nintendo 64 era platformers, although whereas Yooka-Laylee sticks to the formula created by its predecessors, Snake Pass has a unique twist which helps make it somewhat more interesting.

You can read more about the comparisons between Yooka-Laylee and Snake Pass here.

Snake Pass is available for download on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

Yooka-Laylee 

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

This spiritual successor to the beloved Nintendo 64 game, Banjo-Kazooie, may not have the best reviews, but is a great purchase for fans who would like to feel like they've gone back to a simpler time.

Yooka-Laylee may not do anything new or interesting to improve the gameplay of its predecessors, but it provides a great amount of nostalgia for gamers who prefer older games.

Yooka-Laylee was also part of a short lived yet interesting controversy with a popular YouTube personality, which you can read more about here.

Yooka-Laylee is available for download on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and will be Nintendo Switch in the near future. Yooka-Laylee also has physical copies available for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

Cosmic Star Heroine 

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita

Cosmic Star Heroine is an indie RPG by Zeboyd games and is heavily inspired by beloved RPGs of the past, such as Chrono Trigger and Phantasy Star.

In Cosmic Star Heroine, you play as Alyssa L'Salle, an agent of the Agency of Peace & Intelligence on the Planet Araenu, who goes rogue after uncovering a horrible conspiracy. 2D visual style straight from the height of gaming's 16-bit era! Animated cutscenes reminiscent of the Sega CD & Turbo Duo era!

Cosmic Star Heroine features the ability for players to save anywhere, no separate battle or overworld screens, a turn-based combat system that focuses on flow & strategy and multi-character combo techniques.

Cosmic Star Heroine is surely an enjoyable experience for any fan of RPGs from the 16 bit era.

The game is available to download on PC, PlayStation 4,  or PlayStation Vita.

Transformers: Forged to Fight

Platforms: Android & iOS

Transformers: Forged to Fight is a free-to-play mobile fighting game by Kablam featuring both the original G1 Transformers and Transformers from the live action movies, as well as other Transformers from the entire Transformers universe.

Transformers: Forged to Fight also has some light RPG mechanics. In this giant robot fighting mobile game you can: Fight against other players using special attacks and ranged blasting, while demolishing destructible terrain in large three-dimensional arenas; play with your friends and battle in global events; set a group of Transformers to defend your base from other players; and deploy teams to obtain loot.

Transformers: Forged to Fight is a surprisingly great fighting game for any fan of the Transformers Franchise. The game is available on Google Play and the App Store.

Saban's Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: Mega Battle 

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One

This nostalgic game released a few months before the new movie, which is rather odd timing. But nonetheless, Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers Mega Battle is a beat 'em up based on the original series, and similar in playstyle to the original Power Rangers games, which were on the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis.

In Mega Battle, you can play as the original six rangers, and you have the option to download three replacement rangers as DLC. The game is a pretty standard beat 'em up, but it doesn't do anything new or interesting. The graphics also make the game look like it would be something you'd play on your web browser, rather than a game you would play on a modern console.

Despite its low-res graphical style and subpar gameplay, Saban's Mighty Morphin's Power Rangers Mega Battle is still a game where you can have a lot of fun playing co-op with your friends.

The game is available for download on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

The Disney Afternoon Collection 

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One

This highly anticipated collection contains five games from the NES era based on different cartoons that aired on the Disney Afternoon programming block on the Disney channel in the late 80's and early 90's.

The games in the collection are: Chip N' Dale Rescue Rangers, Chip N' Dale Rescue Rangers 2, DarkWing Duck, DuckTales, DuckTales 2, and TaleSpin. Out of these five games, Chip N' Dale Rescue Rangers 2 and DuckTales 2 are the most difficult to find the original NES cartridges of. 

The collection also features a rewind mode so players can undo past mistakes, time-attack and boss rush modes, as well as concept art to look and music to listen to from each game.

The Disney Afternoon Collection is available for download on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

Video games have come a long way since their genesis in the late 70's and early 80's. In the year 2017 we have three different versions of the fourth PlayStation, the third Xbox, which confusingly sounds like it's the first one, several different virtual reality headsets, and a Nintendo handheld that can also easily connect to your TV screen.

For those overwhelmed by all this new technology and different choices, there are still new games that will help make them feel as if they never left the simpler times they remember.

Here are 8 recently released games for any fan of 80's and 90's nostalgia.

Playtonic Game's long awaited collect-a-thon revival game Yooka-Laylee, recently released to mixed reception, while Sumo Digital's all new platformer, Snake Pass, released only a short time before with slightly better reviews than its kickstarted rival. Some expected Yooka-Laylee to be the better of the two due to its lineage and weren't sure what to expect with Snake Pass, while others thought Yooka-Laylee was a waste of time stuck in the past and were excited to see what Snake Pass had to offer.

While both fill voids in the genre, here are some comparisons between the two 3D platformers to help decide if one is truly better than the other.

Initial Concepts

Yooka-Laylee Plays It Safe

Yooka-Laylee could have been the game to make 3D collect-a-thon platformers popular again, but it offered nothing new in terms of gameplay. Instead, it took its gameplay straight from its predecessors, making it feeling outdated and derivative.

All of the features of older 3D platformers comprise its gameplay: jump, double jump, attack, drop attack. On top of that, other seemingly outmoded features such as on-rails sections, copious item collection, and just about everything players remember from games like Banjo Kazooie is found here. This would be fine if Yooka-Laylee expanded upon those mechanics, adding new unique twists to each one, but instead, it keeps them the way they are, making the gameplay rather ordinary and somewhat boring.

Snake Pass is a Similar Concept with a Twist.

On the other hand, Snake Pass does things a bit differently. Sure it has plenty in common with Yooka-Laylee: Both games star a reptile with a flying companion, both are inspired by 3D platformers of the past, both have great soundtracks, and both are available on just about all modern consoles.

But one of the reasons players may be enjoying Snake Pass more is because of its unique mechanics. The movement of the main character, Noodle, is based off of how real life snakes slither, rather than the usual running and jumping seen in other 3D platformers. Snake Pass focuses more on originality and figuring out how to get from one part of a level to the next while avoiding deadly obstacles in a novel and interesting way, rather than doing its best to be a proper spiritual sequel to an older game.

Differing Graphical Quality

Yooka-Laylee Fails to Deliver in the Graphical Department

Yooka-Laylee isn't the first 3D platformer to be in HD, but it is the first Banjo Kazooie spiritual successor to be -- unless you actually count the much-derided Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts as a successor for some odd reason.

According to some, Yooka-Laylee has poor graphical quality, which may be due to the graphics engine used for the game. Yooka-Laylee utilizes the Unity engine, which is commonly associated with affordability and smaller indie games. In his review for the game, Youtube personality and game reviewer Jim Sterling claims:

"While it’s bright and colorful, the game’s choppy framerate and wonky physics mitigate any pleasure one might derive from the graphics. Stages aren’t particularly detailed in their design, featuring lots of basic blocks, platforms, and ramps, while characters themselves are mildly endearing if somewhat forgettable. It’s the kind of game that looks far better in screenshots than when viewed in motion."

Despite having the colorfulness of games like Banjo Kazooie, it seems as if the graphics of Yooka-Laylee haven't improved all that much. 

Snake Pass Has Superior Graphics Over Its Rival

Snake Pass uses the impressive Unreal Engine 4 to power its graphics and as such, it has received few complaints about graphical quality. In GameSpot's review, Oscar Dayus says: 

"As you improve, the momentum you build in gliding up and over obstacles can lead to some wonderful sights -- there's something instinctively satisfying about seeing a snake's tail chase after its head, especially knowing you were the choreographer. And that's helped by the vibrant character and environment art, the latter of which accentuates each world's natural beauty, while the changing color palettes make each level appear distinct from the last.

This is a game whose sense of motion is palpable, with platforms whizzing by and moving reptilian stripes attracting the eye - -and yet I often found myself gazing at a distant treeline or glowing collectible orb."

A stark contrast to Sterling's comments on Yooka-Laylee, the smooth quality and vibrancy of the environments in Snake Pass help show another way it manages to keep the 3D platformer genre fresh, instead of sticking to the basics.

Review Scores

Yooka-Laylee is Never Quite Above Average

Working off that, the reviews for Yooka-Laylee have ranged from the low side of positive to astoundingly negative. Most reviewers agree that Yooka-Laylee succeeds in copying the framework laid down by games like Banjo Kazooie and Conker's Bad Fur Day, but at the same time, it doesn't bring anything new to the table, which narrows its key audience.

Due to its outdated gameplay mechanics, bringing nothing new or interesting to the formula, and its questionable graphics, Yooka-Laylee has not been able to reach its full potential.

Slithery Reviews for Snake Pass

Oddly enough, the best review scores for Snake Pass are only slightly higher than the review scores for Yooka-Laylee, and as of this writing, both games have the same metascore (Snake Pass does have a slightly higher user score, though).

This may be because players are not accustomed to the unique gameplay of Snake Pass, and reviews claim the game expects you to learn everything a bit too quickly.  But unlike Yooka-Laylee, players do actually learn in Snake Pass, rather than staying inside of their comfort zone.

Other Problems

Yooka-Laylee was also involved in a rather interesting, albeit short-lived, controversy where a Youtube personality was removed from the voice cast due to some controversial statements made prior to the game's release, which you can read more about here.

The only problems Snake Pass seems to have are awkward camera positions, the previously mentioned claims it expects you to learn its unique mechanics a bit too quickly, and that the main characters are (arguably) not as charming as the mascots of the platformers which came before them. These frustrating problems are likely the reason why its review scores aren't much higher than Yooka-Laylee.

The Verdict

Snake Pass is Cheaper & More Fun Than Yooka-Laylee

Despite having astoundingly similar reception, from this evidence it's clear to see Snake Pass is the better modern 3D platformer of the two, albeit only slightly. Snake Pass introduces a new interesting game mechanic, has the graphical advantage and better-looking environments, and is also half the price of Yooka-Laylee.

You can buy Snake Pass for $20 on the PlayStation Store, Xbox One Games Store, Nintendo Switch eShop, and PC.

However, if you're still interested in Yooka-Laylee, you can buy it for $40 on the PlayStation Store, Xbox One Games Store, and PC. It will be available on the Nintendo Switch eShop in the near future.

And if you're not quite sure about Yooka-Laylee, the game's publisher, Team 17, has a handful of other great games for players to enjoy -- such as 2016's multiplayer smash hit Overcooked!

Which platformer do you prefer, Snake Pass or Yooka-Laylee? Sound off in the comments below! 

It's out! It is finally out!

I played a demo of Sumo Digital's Snake Pass at last year's EGX event in Birmingham, England, and again at EGX Rezzed 2017 -- and I've been eagerly awaiting its general release since. It was released on March 28 for North America and on March 29 for Europe and Australia, and it is available on PC (via Steam), Xbox One, PS4, and the Nintendo Switch.

Snake Pass is a delightful 3D platform puzzler in which you must guide the snake Noodle and his hummingbird companion Doodle around various locations while collecting gate gems to progress to the game's next levels. That's the main aim anyway, as there are other collectibles to find for bonuses and more. But these tend to be harder to find -- and even harder to get to.

Although this game is a platformer, you won't find any jumping or running in Snake Pass. You play a snake, after all, so you must move and behave like a snake. Rather than just moving forward, you need to perfect your slither and how to change your speed. Noodles movements are so fluid and perfectly mimic those of a real snake, it's kind of uncanny. You can see that a great deal of research has gone into this element of the game.

Then there is the climbing, which is an art form in itself -- and the most infuriating part of the game. To collect items in-game, you are faced with a lot of bamboo climbing frames. Using what Sumo calls "Snake Physics," you need to learn how to climb and coil by tightening and loosening your body around the bamboo. It really isn't as easy as it sounds, and you will spend a lot of time falling off and having to start a particular climb again. Luckily, there are no "lives" in Snake Pass, so you can start from a checkpoint as often as you fall off.

In case things do appear to be going wrong, you can get Doodle the hummingbird to grab the end of your tail to help keep your balance. This, however, won't hold you up or stop you from falling off what you're climbing on. But if your back end seems to be dragging you down on an obstacle, this is a little helping hand. What's more, Doodle also acts as a little guide, showing you where you need to be heading, in case you ever get lost. 

As well as not having to worry about falling and using a life, the other nice thing about Snake Pass is that there are no mobs or combat in any way. You only have to concentrate on collecting and mastering how to move effectively. This is great from a parent's perspective.

While some are ok with their children playing games that have some form of combat, there are others who don't let their children play games because of it. Snake Pass is purely a puzzle game. It is fantastic for helping children refine their motor and problem-solving skills.

On top of that, all of the graphics are bright and, for the most part, happy, while Noodle and Doodle are very loveable and look like they wouldn't be out of place in an animated movie. Saying that, the look of the game is truly nostalgic. To some, it is pretty obvious where the developers got some of their inspiration from.

But not everything in Snake Pass is so cheery. While not damning, there are some things about the game that can prove to be a nuisance. Firstly, some of the checkpoint positions seem to be a bit out of place. Having spent a while navigating a particularly hard climb, and then retrieving the gem at the top, I would have liked a checkpoint in a reasonably close location to that treasure, rather than risking a fall (which happened. It angered me. I had to put it down and come back to it ...). I guess I should be grateful that there are checkpoints at all!

I can also see why the camera might not be everyone's friend. It has some really strange angles, and this is very evident in small areas or smaller rooms. The camera gets itself into an interesting position, lodged up against the wall or an object. Sometimes it zooms in completely, which makes it hard to see where you are supposed to go next. Out in the open, however, the camera can move around Noodle freely and makes for some pretty impressive views.

While we can't expect a game to go on forever. Eventually, a line has to be drawn. But with Snake Pass, it feels like the line was drawn too soon. The game only consists of 15 levels across four worlds.

Ok, this might be because the developers have some expansions or DLC updates hidden up their sleeves, but if you are just going to complete the main game, it might not take too long. If you are a completionist and want to collect all the orbs and coins, then it's probably going to take quite a while, so the lack of levels probably won't bother you that much. Really, it's a toss up in how you want to play the game. 

But regardless of your style, you will need to use a controller to get the most out of the game on PC. I know that not all PC gamers like to use a controller, and while Snake Pass does support keyboard and mouse, I can't really recommend it. As I have reviewed this on PC, I made sure that I gave both a shot, but I just couldn't get the same fluid movements using the keyboard and mouse I could when using my controller. Don't get me wrong, it is totally possible to play it this way, but I think that it was designed to be played using a controller.

In a year when other similar looking platformers are being released, Snake Pass certainly stands on its own with its own unique gameplay mechanics and loveable characters. Even though the camera can be a bit annoying and the game itself is a bit short, it is nonetheless a great experience. For anyone who wants to try something new and just escape reality for a bit, you don't need to look any further. I've thoroughly enjoyed Snake Pass, as have my children, and I really hope that there are going to be more levels to come! Let's see what other adventures Noodle and Doodle have in the future!

Snake Pass was provided for review by developers Sumo Digital and is currently on Steam for £15.99/19,99€/$19.99.

I always found it bizarre that in spite of the large volume of nostalgic software available in the modern climate of gaming, there seems to be this decadence of one particular influence from the past that isn’t celebrated nearly as much as the 16-bit and 8-bit era of video games.

I’m talking about the collect-till-you-die 3D platformer -- where’s all the love gone for these age-old scavenger hunts? Maybe that’s why I’m unreasonably excited for Playtonic’s upcoming title Yooka-Laylee, a love letter to Rare’s golden age of free-roaming character action games where chasing down a grocery list of various doo-dads across a dozen vibrant landscapes was more than fun, it was enchanting.

Admittedly, though, as I mentioned before a lot of the excitement has to do with the fact that there aren’t a whole lot of choices aside from Yooka-Laylee to tide me over until then. Well, that’s until I stumbled across Sumo Digital’s Snake Pass that is.

This quirky title would’ve snuck past my radar had it not been for the bright and colorful presentation chock filled with character and whimsy that I saw within the first few minutes of the new platformer. Snake Pass gives you a chance to roll around and grab stuff with Noodle and his flying Hummingbird pal doodle (sounding even more familiar to y’all am I right?)

The resemblance between the Snake and Hummingbird and the Chameleon and Bat isn’t immediately apparent, but the biggest parallel they share between each other is the excitement of exploration. Slithering left and right gradually becomes more intuitive the more you familiarize yourself with the terrain of Snake Pass’s level design; every bamboo pole, funnel, and twisty alcove is a beacon of context to Noodle’s abilities in the same manner that Laylee’s Sonic sonar blast resonates with noise-receptive levers and so forth.

Granted, whatever skillset depth Snake Pass lacks in comparison to Yooka-Laylee, it more than makes up for it in the complexity of the platforming physics that you’ll need to master to handily complete the game’s daunting fetch quests. Much like the way Valve’s Portal series made you think with portals, Snake Pass will push your actions to reflect that of the titular invertebrate reptile—moving left and right in rhythm with another to pick speed, as you wrap and coil through the nooks and crannies of each stage.

There was one other huge similarity that these two titles share that will really get your chest pumping, and that’s the oh so sweet ear candy that is their soundtracks, both containing composition by the legendary David Wise of Rare fame.

The first world’s track is jubilant and playful, evoking the same kind of pleasant vibe that you get from the bright visuals of Snake Pass, followed by a more intimate, supine melody in the second world that still has this effervescence within its tune much like David’s most arguably famous piece of work, “Aquatic Ambience” from Donkey Kong Country.

It doesn’t take long for Sumo Digital’s Mascot adventure to arouse the same harmonic sensations that we all got out of Rare’s Nintendo 64 catalog, effectively filling a void that we never really knew we had since those years have gone and passed.

Playtonic’s tribute to Banjo-Kazooie isn’t set to release until 11 April 2017 , and while that’s just under three weeks, the wait feels like an eternity to everyone who’s been looking forward to this Collectathon renaissance—which is why Snake Pass is an excellent surrogate to tide you over until that date finally ends up rolling around.

Honorable Mentions

Even though the majority of games at this year's event were of really high standard, I couldn't include every single one in this listicle so here are some other games which deserve to get a mention for one reason or another:

Oh My Godheads - Oh my! This was a true gem to play! It was entertaining, nicely done and the constant changes in tactics depending on circumstances really made a nice addition.

Drive! Drive! Drive! - It's a racing game, but racing on 1 track is boring, so why not 3 tracks at the same time? Definitely very entertaining!

Black the Fall - The setting for this game is one of its strong points. Based during the fall of the Soviet Union, it tells the story of someone trying to escape from forced labor. The design of the game is superb and the gameplay makes you over think the simplest of puzzles.

The Little Acre - This harks back to the golden age of point-and-clicks. The cartoon animation is bang on the money and the story line is endearing and extremely well written.

As you can see from this list, the variety of games exhibited this year was huge and there is a lot of talented indie developers out there. The public seemed to agree as the Rezzed section of the expo was constantly busy. Some games had crowds gathered around it and there were plenty of smiles and laughter all around. Now to look forward to Rezzed, the purely indie event run by EGX in London during the Spring, and next years EGX expo!

For more information about all the games Pierre and I played during EGX 2016, check out all of our event coverage.

Flat Heroes

For such as simple looking game, Flat Heroes is utterly brilliant! If the turn out this year hadn't been so strong, I would say that this could have won Best in Show. Kudos goes to the games developers, Parallel Circles!

The look of Flat Heroes is basic and very trendy, but the gameplay is intense and fast-paced. The aim of each level is just to avoid what is coming at you. There are lasers, little star bombs, flying discs and more, all with the purpose of destroying your square. There are several tempting modes including the solo campaign, speed runs, co-op, and battles.

Flat Heroes is out now in early access on Steam and is available on PC, Mac OS, and Linux.

Aaero

From anywhere in the Rezzed area, you could hear the thumping bassline of the Aaero tracks. In fact, Aaero has its place in here not only for being a kickass game but also for having the most memorable soundtrack of the event.

Developers Mad Fellows describe Aaero as a "rhythm, action, on rails, music shooter" and, once you play it, it really makes sense. If anyone out there has ever played Audiosurf you will be familiar with the concept of racing on a track and dodging obstacles in time with some music. Well, this game takes a massive leap away from that basic concept and adds aliens, boss battles, and a futuristic landscape.

Aaero is scheduled to release early on in 2017 and will be available on Xbox One, PS4, and PC.

Mantis Burn Racing

Mantis Burn Racing is an arcade top-down racer from developers VooFoo Studios. It's nothing more that a racing game which means that there are no power-ups and only very short boosts. The reason that it makes this list is because it melds arcade and sim amazingly well. While it's fully arcade, you can actually think about driving a bit like in a sim game.

Even though it is a top-down arcade game, the game uses realistic physics and great attention has been paid to making the feel of the game different regarding which surface you are racing on.

The game is currently on Steam Early Access and the developers are hoping to release it by the end of 2016 on PC, PS4 and XBox One.

Aragami

You can't get any more stealthly than Aragami, a game developed by Spain-based studio Lince Works and due to release in a matter of days (October 4th).

You don't get many games where getting into combat is a bad thing but it really is in this one. You must stealth around, completing missions and trying not to get caught. If you do get caught, you do have some mystical powers which will aid your escape but that really isn't the point. It looks like the developers have drawn a lot of inspiration from comic books for the look of the game but it really does work.

So why is Aragami one of our Best in Show? Quite simply, it's an amazing stealth game. Even though you are completely vulnerable, you feel super powerful! Also, it looks amazing, graphically, and animation wise.

Forgotton Anne

Forgotton Anne was a surprise addition to the EGX line-up. Square Enix Collective waited until people arrived to announce it. The game really struck a chord with me as it has some serious Steampunk connotations and the premise really is lovely. I see a lot of future in this game and cannot wait to see more of it.

Forgotton Anne is 2D point-and-click action adventure. You control a young girl, Anne, who is trapped in a world of forgotten items. She and an elderly gentleman called Master Bonku are the only humans in this new World and they are trying to find a way home.

The game is still in its early stages so it will be a while before we see this release.

Snake Pass

This game by Sumo Digital really made me smile. And, watching the other people playing the demo, it made a lot of others smile too. The pure enjoyability of the game makes this one of our best in show.

It is a puzzle game like no other just because you play as a snake. Obviously, the first thing you'll notice is that your character has no arms and legs so you have to rethink how you are going to play. As you move the left thumbstick from side to side, your snake starts to move. The quicker you move your thumb, the more the snake propels himself forward.

The snake is Noodle, and he is out to collect gems from his world with the help of his hummingbird friend. The puzzles are completely physical and you have to try and think like a snake. How does a snake climb a tree? How do they coil around an object to tighten their grip?

There are currently no release details for the game but we will keep you informed.

The Fall: Part 2 - Unbound

This game rightly deserves its spot in the best in show list because of its well-written story and its execution. The story got us hooked instantly. I don't really want to spoil it for anyone but the feelings you get from the protagonist do strike a chord.

The Fall: Part 2, is a sequel to The Fall: Part 1 (which has been reviewed by Pierre in the past) and has been developed by Vancouver-based studio Over The Moon Games. It carries on from the events of the first part andfocuses on a character named ARID -- an artificial intelligence who is trying to find her way back to her own body. The look of the game is very dark but, with neon aspects which remind me a lot of Tron: Legacy, it works beautifully well as a game.

Political Animals

This game was on my must-play list from the moment I heard they were at EGX. I've been following its development for a while so I am so happy now that I have been able to play it.

Political Animals is an election simulation game, developed by new-to-the-scene studio Squeaky Wheel and published by Democracy 3 developers Positech. Don't let the cartoon appearance and animal characters fool you because this game is certainly not for the fainted hearted. You are playing a government candidate who is trying to get elected and you need to do everything in your power to succeed. You need to campaign, make pledges, raise funds and you can even create scandals to blacken your opponents name! Everything you'd expect from a good politician...

So why does it make our Best in Show list? I think it would boil down to the art style which makes it stand out from other political strategy games. It looks great! It doesn't immediately look like a political game. It looks like something a child would like to play given the cartoon art style. Looks can be deceiving but it works for Political Animals.

There is currently no hard and fast release date but the developers are hoping to get it released to coincide with the US elections in November.

Deckbound Heroes

I am a massive fan of card games, whether they be tabletop or digital. There were quite a few of them at this year's show, but Deckbound Heroes scored very highly with me.

There are lots of unique aspects to this game that make it stand out from the CCG crowd. For a start, you can see your opponents' cards. Where is the fun in that? I don't know about you but if I saw one their strongest cards pop up in their hand, I would sitting there guessing when they would play it or whether or not I could counter it. The other unique feature of the game is that you are also playing to occupy bases. Each base bestows an ability to help you take life points away from your opponent.

The card gameplay is actually pretty in-depth and, if you are interested in knowing more, you should head over to Deckbound's website to have a read of how it all actually works.

Deckbound Heroes is currently vying for your votes to get it Greenlit on Steam and has an estimated release date of sometime this Fall.

Yooka-Laylee

This is a game that fans of Banjo-Kazooie and Donkey Kong Country have been waiting for for such a long time! The guys and gals from Playtonic Games, a studio originally started by some key personnel from Rare, have been working very hard to recreate the feel and enjoyment their previous games brought to players. The end result is this incredibly bright and happy open-world platformer. This is the reason Yooka-Laylee is one of GameSkinny's best in show. They didn't let the fans down and developed a beautiful game, just the way we wanted it.

Players must guide Yooka the chameleon and his bat friend, Laylee, around their world. You have to collect items which expand the play area and ultimately assist the duo in defeating the money-grabbing corporate fat cat Capital B. 

There is currently no definite date for the release of Yooka-Laylee but we at GameSkinny will be keeping our fingers on the pulse and will let you know as soon as we do!

Between Thursday 22nd and Sunday 25th of September, Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre (NEC) played host to the UK's largest video game exhibition. GameSkinny sent Pierre Fouquet and I along to find out what was going on, get hands-on with some of the newest releases and to see what was hot in the realm of Indie games.

The indie developers had come out in force and were presenting some (quite frankly) amazing games! For me, it was more exciting playing these games than queuing up to play the big AAA games that were on show.

So sit back and flick through this EGX 2016: Best in Show slideshow to see which games Pierre and I rate as being some of the best at this year's event. The list isn't in any particular order.

Today was a day of firsts. Whether it was the first experience of something or being part of the first to try something new (as with many of the indie games there this weekend), it was a day that I will remember for... well... forever, possibly.

My Mom is a Witch

This game was my first demo of the day, and it was a really enjoyable game. Hailing from Novi Sad in Serbia, developers Bigosaur presented the visitors at EGX with an action adventure multiplayer game based in a medieval setting but done using very cartoony graphics. My Mom is a Witch has a lot of roguelike elements in it as well as drawing inspiration from titles such as Castle Crushers.

The game is not ready to release just yet but, from what the developer told me, the end product will give players the chance to choose from 7 different classes to play, about 20 different bosses, hundreds of items and weapons to pick up, and will play along six distinctly different themed levels. The game uses procedural generation, so no game will ever have the same appearance.

I really enjoyed playing the game and the multiplayer demo with the developer. I do see some great things for this game. It isn't overly straightforward though -- it's easy to learn, but difficult to truly get the hang of.

Yooka-Laylee

Oh yeah! I did it! I played Yooka-Laylee, and it was marvelous! This is a game that I, like so many others, have been waiting for for such a long time. Ever since the last installment Banjo-Kazooie, fans have wanted another game in the same style. So when a bunch of key personnel from Rare decided to form their own studio, Playtonic Games, and create a new game, there was immediately a lot of excitement among followers.

The game uses a lot of imagery and ideas from previous games, but sees a new character duo attempting to stop two new nasty enemies -- Capital B and Dr. Quack -- from consuming the world's literature to turn into profit. Players control a chameleon called Yooka and his female bat friend, Laylee, as they have to go through a series of puzzles, and they must collect many different items from around their 3D platform world as the game goes on.

As of yet, there are no details on a release date but what we do know is that it is going to be available on PC, Mac, Linux, Xbox One, PS4, and Wii U, and the estimated date for release will be sometime in Spring 2017.

Dawn of War III

Yeah, I was so pleased I got to play Dawn of War III. I am a massive Warhammer 40k fan and have played Dawn of War since day one so a new installment of the series always fills me with glee. Relic Entertainment, the developers, have done it again!

The main premise for DoW III is a three-way conflict between the Space Marines, the Orks and the Eldar, who have all made their way to a planet called Acheron when a mysterious "mega" weapon has been discovered. The Space Marines are led by the Chapter Master of the Blood Ravens, Gabriel Angelos, who has been part of the DoW series since the first game so has the leader of the Ork army, the Warlord Gorgutz (or rather his full name Gorgutz 'Ead 'Unter). The Eldar are led by the Farseer Macha from the Biel-Tan craftworld, who has, so far, only appeared in the first DoW game.

There isn't much to say about the gameplay in DoW III if you already know about the previous games. They are your normal real-time strategy game in which you control and build an army to aid you in completing the missions. There is currently no definite 2017 date for the release of Dawn of War III, but we will let you know as soon as we know.

Brawlout

This stand was always occupied whenever I walked past it. This animal themed fighter is bright, colorful, and very reminiscent of the Smash Bros games -- so no wonder it was drawing in the crowds! It is being developed by Angry Mob Games who have predominately been responsible for developing mobile games, such as Alien vs. Predator: Evolution and Predators, but are now heading out into the land of consoles with Brawlout.

The game can be played by 2 - 8 people, either online or locally, and sees players taking the role of a representative from a particular race. As of writing this, there have been five characters announced -- Chief Feathers (Native American), Sephi'ra (Egyptian), Olaf Tyson (Scandinavian) Gancho Puncho (Mexican), and King Apu (Hindu).

"We're all fighting game fans, so we've built our dream platform fighter. We've heard what players miss from classic fighters and what they love about new ones, and Brawlout is designed to give people the best of both worlds, whether that's ruining friendships around the TV or going online to anger strangers in tournaments."

--Bogdan Iliesiu, CEO of Angry Mob Games

Brawlout is due for release sometime in Q1 of 2017.

Shu

Shu is your typical platform adventure. The graphics of the game have been lovingly hand-drawn, and the gameplay is just as lovely. You play a character called Shu who is trying to escape a world which is being torn apart by a monstrous storm. He is helped along the way by some friends -- and the beauty of it is that you control all of the friends running away with Shu at the same time.

Shu himself has a cloak which can catch on the wind and propel you forward. He has a friend who can smash rocks, and another friend who controls the blossoming of flowers. The characters are holding hands as they run, which kind of makes one whole character as you utilize their gifts whenever you need them.

It is being developed by Sunderland-based studio Coatsink and is scheduled to release on October 4th. It will be available on PS4 and PC (via Steam) and is due also to be available on PS Vita in Q4 2016.

Windlands

When I said at the beginning of this piece that it would contain some firsts well... Windlands was my first ever try at a VR game. I loved it! I have to give some serious kudos to the boss of Psytec Games. He took a great deal of time talking to me about VR, what to expect, and the ways the game can be altered to make the experience kinder on my body. He even stopped a few people, with me stood next to him, to ask questions about their experience just to put me at ease. This helped me immensely, and as a result, I will always remember the first time I tried VR and which game it was.

So, Windlands is a first person grappling hook VR exploration game. You must use your hooks to hold onto things to make you swing through the world, á la Tarzan. There is zero combat involved, and you can either play at a leisurely pace, just swinging around and exploring the world or you can indulge your competitive side and start doing speed runs and time trials.

The game is available now on Steam for PC and Mac OS.

Snake Pass

When I hear about a game that allows you to play a snake, you can bet your bottom dollar that I will be there. I love snakes! Snake Pass definitely did not let me down. This game, developed and published by Sumo Digital, is visually stunning, and great detail has been taken to develop a control system, which really makes you think like a snake. It was the brainchild of a guy called Seb Liese, who originally joined the team to work on Little Big Planet but ended up developing this little gem.

You play a snake called Noodle, and it is your job to collect the gems around your world by completely physical puzzles which require you to use all your snakey movements to overcome them. As you slither, coil, and squeeze your way to victory, you are helped along by a friendly hummingbird who will aid you in your time of need by picking up your tail to stop it from weighing you down over obstacles.

There is currently no information about a possible release date or which platforms it will be playable on.

So, that's it for what I got done on day three at EGX. Just one more day to report on!