Catan: Console Edition - Available Now

Everybody has played Catan… Okay, well everybody knows Catan… Everybody has seen Catan? Whatever, you know what I’m trying to say. Anybody who knows of board games knows what Catan is. It’s the board game that usually sets people down their deep rabbit hole of board game addic… I mean collecting. Catan is a simple but fun board game about resource collecting, trading, and settlement building. Dovetail Games took that household name and turned it into a video game.

I adore board games, so naturally, I couldn't resist trying out the console version. I mean, who wouldn't love skipping the cleanup? The graphics are delightful and manage to keep the essence of Catan while giving it a modern twist. The gameplay mirrors the board game perfectly, and the tutorials are among the most user-friendly I've encountered. All in all, Catan: Console Edition is a fantastic transition from the tabletop to the screen.

Catan: Console Edition is available now for Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5. and PS4.

Flooded - Available Now

Are you a fan of city-builders? No? Then get lost! Just kidding, you're still welcome here! Flooded offers a unique blend of the familiar city-building concept with some exciting new mechanics. Stranded on an island surrounded by a steadily rising ocean, your goal is to do everything in your power to survive as long as possible. Best of luck – I hope you've got some swimming skills!

I'll be honest, at first, I had no clue what was happening. There's not much of a tutorial to guide you through the game, but it does teach you as you dive into the campaign mode. So, admittedly, I was a bit lost initially. Once I got the hang of it, it was a bit too late, and I had to start over. But after that initial hiccup, Flooded turned out to be quite an interesting game!

Flooded is a unique take on a resource mangement city-builder. But what I will say, the game is a little difficult to play on the Switch so if you are into the game I would recommend playing it on PC if possible.

Flooded is available now for PC via Steam and Nintendo Switch.

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 - Available Now

After my experience with the first game, my expectations were pretty low, and surprisingly, that seemed to work in favor of Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2. While it's not exactly a Smash Bros clone, it holds its own against competitors. There's a certain charm to it – the quirky voice lines, vibrant gameplay, and the unique play style all contribute to its cuteness factor.

Do I envision this becoming a competitive fighting game? Not really. Will it dethrone Smash Bros? Not a chance. Will it be a regular in my gaming rotation? Probably not. But am I happy I gave it a shot? Absolutely. I appreciate that they took feedback from the first All-Star Brawl and made improvements.

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 is available now for PC via Steam, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, and PS4.