1-2 SWIITCH

There's been much negative hype about the newest Nintendo console , but it only seems to add to the never-ending dissatisfaction of the fraction of gamers worldwide that simply don't enjoy a more "Japanese" entertainment product. By Japanese I'm thinking quirky and unique, disregarding European and American humour, preferences and cultural  norms. 1-2 SWITCH condensed the rich experiences of the Japanese arcade world and came up with a concept that is more accessible to the Western audiences. 18 remarkably simple and fun-to-play mini-games - milking the cow, quick draw, sword fight, wizard fight, runway - are just an introduction to  a new system and the concept behind it, making controllers and the console itself part of the game (holding and rocking a baby console :) ) and looking far more graceful than the tennis games of the previous Nintendo paradigm. I would love it if they switched from a controller to a holographic glove (yes, the original glove was glitchy as hell but I loved it) one day making the experience even greater, but this is as good an experience as it gets. 

Hard-core gamers will naturally ditch this console and its conept for a more "immersive" experience  found elsewhere, but us casual gamers can only give kudos to the new Nintendo system for trying to reinvent themselves. If you hated the mini-games titles back in the 80s you'll hate this one as well.Or you can try the new Zelda game for Nintendo Switch , it's looking wonderful. Or not. 

PINOUT

With hundreds of different pinball simulations I've played so far I can say I finally found one that's unique as a computer game. Instead of recreating some original machine in its physicality and movements, PINOUT lets go of the simulation and becomes something more - a game that could last for tables on end. Combining the genres of endless runner and pinball simulation was an incredibly smart thing to do. You jump from one beautifully designed table to another until you've reached a checkpoint.

The retro is strong with this one- a Tron-like retro-futuristic envirnoments  accompanied by appropriate  retrowave/synthwave music is a treat for a retro gamer;  there is a ton of  classic powerups that reach new heights here (random, motion link, slow motion, time freeze etc ) , altered and distorted; all  bonus mini games are exquisite homages to 8-bit classics (a racing game,a blasteroid-type game, a horizontal  space shooter etc) with 8bit sounds and themes and no retrowave colouring, so that you're able to enjoy them the same way you did on pinball machines in the late 80s/early 90s.

If you've ever enjoyed any pinball game on any of your machines you've ever had, get PINOUT- you won't be disappointed.