Console – Page 2

REVIEW – Big production values and satirical framing help “Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War!” shine beyond its solid, violent gameplay

by David Rodriguez | Nintendo Switch 2 PC PlayStation 5 Reviews Steam Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 16 Mar 2026

Ultimately, Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! bets big and differently on production and wins. The concepts and framing are what make it unique and enhance the game as a total package.

[GDC 2026] Hands-On: I need to uncover “The Secret of Crystal Mountain” as soon as possible

by Danreb Victorio | GDC Nintendo Switch PC Previews | 0 Comments | 16 Mar 2026

It’s been a couple years since The Secret of Crystal Mountain was announced, and to be honest, I had no idea it was. I took the appointment at GDC to preview the game for a half hour and came away impressed with what Chris Rosenthal and Revolutron Games has so far.

REVIEW – “John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando” has a neat throwback aesthetic and fun co-op action, but lacks on weaker hardware

by David Rodriguez | PC PlayStation 5 Reviews Steam Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 15 Mar 2026

As of right now at launch, I’m feeling pretty good about John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando overall. What’s here is beyond competent and a remarkable start to what could be a co-op mainstay for friend groups and those that want at least one good game in this lane whenever possible. Carpenter’s work and influence help elevate it enough to be noteworthy, the ’80s lack of subtlety is appreciated, and more good decisions than perplexing or bad ones make for a good game indeed.

REVIEW – “Minishoot’ Adventures” is anything but mini with its big thrills, progression, and bullet hell challenge

by David Rodriguez | Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 PC PlayStation 5 Reviews Steam Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 11 Mar 2026

At the end of the game, I felt immense satisfaction. With all but a couple trophies awarded (that I may go back for at some point) and a couple faults worth mentioning, it still felt complete and like something substantial was accomplished. It’s a wonderful playthrough that respects you, your time, money, hard drive space, and effort.

40 Years of Mario: SmashPad’s Favorite Mario Games

by SmashPad Staff | Features Nintendo 3DS Nintendo DS Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Wii Nintendo Wii U | 0 Comments | 10 Mar 2026

The SmashPad staff celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Mario franchise by unveiling their Top 10 favorite Mario games.

REVIEW – “Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly REMAKE” is far more beautiful but also far more frustrating

by Andrew Farrell | Nintendo Switch 2 PC PlayStation 5 Reviews Steam Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 09 Mar 2026

Remakes simply shouldn’t be 1:1 faithful to their original unless the original’s production values were so lacking that merely having better graphics is enough to make the game more palatable. Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly REMAKE could have focused solely on improving the original’s presentation and controls, but it goes farther, adding extra content and new mechanics. Unfortunately, these new mechanics only make the game worse, as they’re almost as frustrating as they are needless, tarnishing a game that could have easily superseded its predecessors while still not outright ruining what made the original so good.

REVIEW – “Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection” sees the spinoff grow up in scope, mechanical density, and emotional maturity

by David Rodriguez | Nintendo Switch 2 PC PlayStation 5 Reviews Steam Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 09 Mar 2026

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is a lovingly intrepid take on the series’ conventions. There’s a palpable whimsy to its character-driven moments and punchy, elephantine vigor to its action that rivals the greats.

Hands-On: “Fishbowl” makes you respect moodiness

by Danreb Victorio | PlayStation 5 Previews | 0 Comments | 06 Mar 2026

One thing that I’ve sort of grown tired of seeing from “cozy” games is the overabundance of farming and base-building games. No matter how chill they are, they hardly ever vibe with me. What I do vibe with, however, are the games that make people feel. That’s exactly what Fishbowl has set out to do, and even though the latest Steam Next Fest demo was really short, I got a lot out of it.

FINAL PREVIEW – “Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection” is a (star)force to be reckoned with

by Michael Fertitta | Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 PC PlayStation 4 PlayStation 5 Previews Steam Xbox One Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 04 Mar 2026

In my limited playing experience so far, Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection is shaping up to be a solid, modern way to experience a series whose brief existence seems to have flown under the radar by fans of the larger Mega Man franchise.

REVIEW – “Scott Pilgrim EX” is another fun beat-em-up that could’ve been something legendary with its open world approach

by Danreb Victorio | Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 PlayStation 4 PlayStation 5 Reviews Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 03 Mar 2026

When Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game came out in 2010, it was a breath of fresh air despite being a callback to video games several generations before it. Fast forward over 15 years, and while the feeling isn’t quite as fresh since beat-em-ups have more or less made a return, Scott Pilgrim EX presents an impressive follow-up that both old-school gamers and Scott Pilgrim diehards should enjoy.

REVIEW – “Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties” is both an improvement and a downgrade with some solid new stuff mixed in

by Andrew Farrell | Nintendo Switch 2 PC Reviews Xbox Series X | 0 Comments | 03 Mar 2026

The Yakuza Kiwami games have always been a bit of a mixed bag. The first two felt like their cutscenes were simply slapped into existing games with some unnecessary systems, leading to them failing to actually feel like their original counterparts. The awkwardly titled Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties, conversely, manages to mostly feel like its own game, but with an almost shocking amount of the original’s extra content completely replaced.

The Legend of Zelda: SmashPad’s Favorite Games

by SmashPad Staff | Features Nintendo 3DS Nintendo DS Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Wii Nintendo Wii U | 0 Comments | 02 Mar 2026

Nintendo seems to have forgotten about The Legend of Zelda’s 40th anniversary, but we haven’t. SmashPad staffers and contributors were asked to provide their Top 5 Zelda games. We’ve taken those lists and turned them into the staff’s Top 10.

Category: Console

REVIEW – Big production values and satirical framing help “Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War!” shine beyond its solid, violent gameplay

[GDC 2026] Hands-On: I need to uncover “The Secret of Crystal Mountain” as soon as possible

REVIEW – “John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando” has a neat throwback aesthetic and fun co-op action, but lacks on weaker hardware

REVIEW – “Minishoot’ Adventures” is anything but mini with its big thrills, progression, and bullet hell challenge

40 Years of Mario: SmashPad’s Favorite Mario Games

REVIEW – “Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly REMAKE” is far more beautiful but also far more frustrating

REVIEW – “Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection” sees the spinoff grow up in scope, mechanical density, and emotional maturity

Hands-On: “Fishbowl” makes you respect moodiness

FINAL PREVIEW – “Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection” is a (star)force to be reckoned with

REVIEW – “Scott Pilgrim EX” is another fun beat-em-up that could’ve been something legendary with its open world approach

REVIEW – “Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties” is both an improvement and a downgrade with some solid new stuff mixed in

The Legend of Zelda: SmashPad’s Favorite Games

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