There's not much I can say about Super Smash Bros Ultimate that hasn't been said more eloquently by others. It's the apex of the long-running crossover platform-fighter series; it serves as a loving tribute not just to Nintendo, but to video games as a medium. It remains my favorite game to play locally with friends and I think it really speaks to the game's strengths that I can lose 100 matches in a row and still have fun. Super Smash Bros only flaws are having inconsistent online and not making Waluigi playable. I'd love for the game to be rereleased with all the dlc and updates on a cartridge, so the finished game isn't lost to time.

The second best re-skin of Panel de Pon that the western world ever got. It was topped by Planet Puzzle League for the Nintendo DS only because that game had online play with randoms (rip). Pokemon Puzzle League takes the gameplay previously seen in the Super Nintendo's Tetris Attack, removes the Yoshi aesthetic and replaces it with a Pokemon theme. How much you enjoy the change will depend on your love for Gen 1 & 2 of Pokemon and the early seasons of the anime. But the meaty puzzle gameplay is what keeps me coming back. It could be themed after Bubsy and I'd still enjoy it.

The puzzle-sliding-chain-combo gameplay is perfect here, and there is a LOT of single player content. This Panel de Pon/Puzzle League installment also features a 3D mode where you are given an cylindrical tube to play on instead of the normal flat screen. A fun game that I have a lot of nostalgia for. However, Pokemon Puzzle League failed to innovate from Tetris Attack imo. There is no 4 player mode despite being on a system with 4 controller ports built in. This would be introduced in the next console installment, but only in Japan. I'd love to see this series resurrected, with any or no theme at all. I think it would be perfect for Nintendo's "99" series of online multiplayer titles. It's currently available on Nintendo Switch Online, with online friend multiplayer!

Pool Blitz has everything a good modern billiards simulator needs: great physics, graphics that pop, easy to learn controls, free-to-play and a healthy online player base with crossplay. Unfortunately the game is infested with microtransactions, and not just cosmetic ones.

If a player had unlimited income, they could buy enough loot chests to find cues with game-breaking special abilities (i.e. homing shots, softer black ball hits etc.). This seems like it would wreck the experience, but in the 100+ matches I played with randoms literally everyone was using basic pool cues. Does the game match like this intentionally? It's possible, but then why the glut of loot crates and pay-to-win upgrades? I know some will dismiss my theory, but I just think everyone playing is staying away from the junk and just enjoying the free vanilla experience. I could see things getting difficult at very high tournament levels, but there's nothing stopping a player from going back to the beginner tournaments. This stops being a problem entirely if you want to play online with friends.

Essentially, this game is like the old trope of the scarecrow that becomes a roost for crows when they aren't stealing corn. Its designated marks have become wise to the situation. So I'd say this game is worth the free download, just don't waste your money on loot boxes. And definitely don't let kids play unsupervised if your money is connected to your account. I've played better pool simulators but their online community was always DOA. So I'll definitely be coming back to Pool Blitz, warts and all.