Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

This clever puzzle game will keep you playing for hours, and it's great to see a new character step out of Mario's considerable shadow with a fun adventure of his own. Even though Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is based around the outdated "damsel in distress" premise, that's not what you're buying this title for; instead, you're really investing in a significant number of brainteasing puzzles. As they work to retrieve the Power Star and rescue Toadette, gamers will encounter many worlds to navigate to collect precious items, combat enemies and bosses, and figure out how to bypass environmental obstacles. For example, you might need to pull a switch or step on a plate in a given order, which will extend a platform to walk to the end of the level. You have limited mobility -- you can't run or even jump -- but by studying the task at hand along with some trial and error, you'll figure out what's necessary. Puzzles, levels, and extra challenges are varied and rewarding.

The Nintendo Switch version of the game vastly improves gameplay as well. It removes the need to blow through the microphone to move platforms or rely on a touchscreen in the Wii U version, instead giving tighter, more responsive controls thanks to the console's Joy-Con controllers. Families can help each other through this new control scheme, with one person controlling Toad and the other handling the camera -- this is perfect if a younger player gets stuck and needs help from an older sibling or parent. It's also nice to see four levels based off the wildly popular Super Mario Odyssey game get a puzzle makeover. The New Donk City level is especially fun to navigate through, with its town and skyscraper-themed stage. Although younger gamers might get frustrated trying to figure out all of the game's puzzles, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is a charming puzzle/platformer hybrid for the whole family to enjoy.