Reviews – SmashPad

REVIEW – “ChromaGun 2: Dye Hard” utilizes a broad palette of iridescent creativity to make a bold puzzle platformer

by David Rodriguez | Nintendo Switch 2 PlayStation 5 Reviews Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 12 Feb 2026

It’s hard not to recommend ChromaGun 2: Dye Hard. The puzzles are satisfying, I felt immense satisfaction working within (and out of) its boundaries, and now I feel like I could apply to be in Mensa. The places it goes, literally and figuratively, are things I haven’t seen done in a game like this before. I’d hate to spoil any of the key moments so I won’t, suffice to say they all work incredibly well, from the easter egg references to other games and media, to things from Pixel Maniacs’ own creative minds.

REVIEW – “Escape From Ever After” is the Paper Mario We’ve Needed for Years!

by Michael Fertitta | Console Nintendo Switch PC Platforms PlayStation 5 Reviews Steam Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 11 Feb 2026

In 2000, Nintendo released the original Paper Mario, an instant hit for RPG and Nintendo fans alike. While recent entries have left many fans disappointed, its legacy has spawned several titles from indie devs that have attempted, and generally succeeded,…

REVIEW – “Nickelodeon Splat Pack” is a nice trip back to when we had lower expectations

by Kayla Merritt | Console Nintendo Switch PC Platforms PlayStation 5 Reviews Steam | 0 Comments | 11 Feb 2026

Sometimes it’s worth it to just feel like a kid again who doesn’t have strong opinions about intuitiveness and just loves cartoons because they exist. Despite the four games in Nickelodeon Splat Pack being of mixed quality, if you grew up with the classic Nickelodeon cartoons then you really should get this game.

REVIEW – “Romeo is a Dead Man” is an action-packed bumpy ride

by Michael Murphy | PC PlayStation 5 Reviews Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 10 Feb 2026

Romeo is a Dead Man is a great action title with some bloody combat, but it’s a bit too messy in its delivery.

REVIEW – “Code Vein II” is a code red for modern soulslikes

by Tanay Sharma | PC PlayStation 5 Reviews Steam Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 09 Feb 2026

Code Vein II remains a big piece of the puzzle in a world littered with puzzling Soulslike at the moment. Usually, a second entry into a series like this one does something that would surprise fans (in a good way), but I fail to see that happening for Code Vein II.

REVIEW – “Highguard” is fun, frenetic, and deserves a fair shot from genre fans

by David Rodriguez | PC PlayStation 5 Reviews Steam Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 06 Feb 2026

There is absolutely fun to be had and I’ve been solo queuing this whole time so far. Finding good loot is exhilarating, strategizing on the spot during a raid is demanding yet rewarding (if you win anyway), and the plethora of content on the horizon is enticing. I may be biased toward this sort of game, but it’s only going to win me over with solid gameplay, compelling design, and respect for the player. Highguard has all of that so far.

REVIEW – “4PGP” is a tribute to arcade racing through a very console lens

by Patrick Mifflin | Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 PC Reviews Steam | 0 Comments | 05 Feb 2026

The state of the arcade racing genre in 2026 is fascinating to say the least. Founding fathers Sega and Namco have been on a milk carton, apart from the surprising inclusion of Virtua Racing in the Sega Ages lineup over on Nintendo Switch, or the random Ridge Racer drop on Hamster’s Arcade Archives or the PlayStation Classics line. This has left the genre to a bunch of indie studios that have done a great job paying tribute to those old classics with games like Formula Retro Racing: World Tour, DDI Rally Championship, and most recently, Super Woden: Rally Edge. Tribute and succession are two different things, however, and as fun as a lot of these games can be, there’s a certain noticeable gap between them and the games that inspired them.

REVIEW – “Nioh 3” and the duality of discord

by Tanay Sharma | PC PlayStation 5 Reviews | 0 Comments | 04 Feb 2026

Nioh 3 is an excellent entry in the series, simply because of how open it is to experimentation. The dual fighting styles between a Samurai and a Ninja highlight this aspect of its gameplay philosophy, and that’s just the beginning of what you can expect from Team Ninja’s commitment to an intricate combat and exploration system. If you’ve never played a Nioh game before, that’s okay! I believe this one can attract a lot of new fans to the series.

REVIEW – “Cozy Caravan” is a sweet deal at MSRP

by Theresa Samons | Articles iOS Mobile Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 PC Platforms Reviews Steam | 0 Comments | 03 Feb 2026

Cozy Caravan is only US$19.99, and I can’t stop thinking about that nearly every time I play. Driving the caravan along, looking at the scenery: “I can’t believe this is only $19.99.” Getting literally lost in the larger towns (and…

REVIEW – Despite divisive changes on a divisive classic, “Dragon Quest VII Reimagined” is a fascinating modern take

by Leigh Lamb | Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 PC PlayStation 5 Reviews Steam Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 02 Feb 2026

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is a fascinating game to review because it takes modern sensibilities that players have come to expect and applies them to the most divisive entry in the series. I do think the game loses something in…

DLC REVIEW – “Dynasty Warriors: Origins – Visions of Four Heroes” doesn’t change much, but that’s great

by Michael Murphy | Nintendo Switch 2 PC PlayStation 5 Reviews Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 30 Jan 2026

While not too much content, Dynasty Warriors: Origins – Visions of Four Heroes is still just as good as the original, keeping the fun of the Musou gameplay and story.

REVIEW – “Cairn” is another fantastic ‘You actually like this?’ simulator

by Danreb Victorio | PC PlayStation 5 Reviews Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 29 Jan 2026

Every time I got to a base on the mountain where I could walk a little and set up camp, I’d take a look back at the distance and remember what it took to get up there. The fact that a video game can make me think all that really makes it special.

Category: Reviews

REVIEW – “ChromaGun 2: Dye Hard” utilizes a broad palette of iridescent creativity to make a bold puzzle platformer

REVIEW – “Escape From Ever After” is the Paper Mario We’ve Needed for Years!

REVIEW – “Nickelodeon Splat Pack” is a nice trip back to when we had lower expectations

REVIEW – “Romeo is a Dead Man” is an action-packed bumpy ride

REVIEW – “Code Vein II” is a code red for modern soulslikes

REVIEW – “Highguard” is fun, frenetic, and deserves a fair shot from genre fans

REVIEW – “4PGP” is a tribute to arcade racing through a very console lens

REVIEW – “Nioh 3” and the duality of discord

REVIEW – “Cozy Caravan” is a sweet deal at MSRP

REVIEW – Despite divisive changes on a divisive classic, “Dragon Quest VII Reimagined” is a fascinating modern take

DLC REVIEW – “Dynasty Warriors: Origins – Visions of Four Heroes” doesn’t change much, but that’s great

REVIEW – “Cairn” is another fantastic ‘You actually like this?’ simulator

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