Ollie Reynolds, Staff Writer

I’m definitely going to be diving into some Penny’s Big Breakaway this weekend, no doubt about it. Although I’ve only spent about half an hour playing so far, once I got the hang of the controls, it became incredibly fun. I can see myself spending hours perfecting my runs in this game.

Additionally, I was pleasantly surprised to see Dead Island 2 added to Xbox Game Pass recently, so I’ll be trying that out as well. It may seem like a typical ‘7/10 game’, but the impressive zombie gore technology showcased in videos has me eager to grab a crowbar and start smashing.

Gavin Lane, Editor

I revisited Trombone Champ for a quick session recently. It’s a hit with the family, especially the part where you can turn cards into turds and create new cards from those turds. It’s always entertaining.

Alongside the more popular titles in my backlog, I started playing Astrologaster this week after purchasing it on sale during Christmas. While I’m only a short way into the game, I’m impressed by the voice work and presentation. I’m excited to see more of what it has to offer. I also spent some time grabbing screenshots of Blast Corps for ten minutes on Thursday, so more therapeutic demolition is on the agenda. And of course, Pocket Card Jockey has finally arrived on Switch; it would be a shame not to dive into that as well.

Felix Sanchez, Video Producer

After completing The Great Ace Attorney 2, it’s time to begin a new game on the Switch. I’m torn between Pentiment, EarthBound, or Ace Attorney – Justice for All. Regardless of my choice, I’m looking forward to immersing myself in a new gaming experience this weekend. It’s always exciting to choose the next chapter in your gaming journey!

Kate Gray, Contributor

This weekend, I’ll be diving into a new game: Balatro! It’s a deckbuilding roguelite, which instantly caught my attention. It’s a fun game centered around creating the most outrageous deck of poker cards – whether it’s having nine Kings or an entire deck of hearts. While it may not have the same lasting appeal as Slay the Spire, it’s still enjoyable. Sometimes, playing a game in a familiar genre can feel predictable, even if it’s entertaining!

Alana Hagues, Deputy Editor

For me, this weekend is all about trying out demos following the Partner Showcase! I’m excited to dive into Unicorn Overlord again, as I thoroughly enjoyed playing it a couple of weeks back and I’m curious to see how it plays on Switch. I also picked up Pepper Grinder, which I’m sure will keep me occupied for the next few days. Before the big RPG hits the console next week, I need to finish Persona 3 Reload on PS5. Sorry, Switch!

Gonçalo Lopes, Contributor

After what felt like forever, my physical copy of DoDonPachi Blissful Death ReIncarnation finally arrived, promising a weekend filled with bullet hell complementing the other games in the same genre I’ve been playing on my Anbernic all week. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is reaching its climax, but I’ll be listening to the game’s OST for months to come. I’m also looking forward to spending time with qomp2 and the fantastic Mario vs. Donkey Kong. Among the RARE gems on NSO, Blast Corps is the highlight for me, especially since I no longer have the skills I had in Killer Instinct during my youth.

My game of the week is Lords of Exile. It’s always a pleasant surprise when a game like this appears on the eShop, but with the lack of curation, it’s easy to overlook retro masterpieces amidst all the shovelware. Those lucky enough, like me, to stumble upon it will be rewarded with a challenging experience, memorable boss battles, and an incredible soundtrack.

That’s our weekend gaming plans, but what about you? Cast your vote for the game you’ll be focusing on in the upcoming days and share your thoughts on other titles you’ll be playing in the comments below.