Timeless treats there is still much to enjoy on the original Nintendo Switch console. Timeless treats there is still much to enjoy on the original Nintendo Switch console. From the greatest cartoon racing game in history to a remastered version of an Alien-inspired sci-fi shooter, here are the Switch's must-play games A lthough the Nintendo Switch 2 has been out for several months, not everyone has made the leap to the new machine and there is still much to enjoy on the original console in 2026 (and beyond). From timeless Mario adventures to cutesy shooters to chasm-deep role-playing quests, here are 15 games no Switch owner should be without. The cosy life sim returned with new characters, chill activities, and endless knick-knacks with which to decorate your own virtual paradise.

When we think of Nintendo we picture serene and cosy cartoon adventures filled with cute creatures and lovable Italian stereotypes. But while there is plenty of Mario on the Switch, the console offers a diverse range of delights for newcomers and longtime gaming veterans. Here are the 15 essentials. The cosy life sim returned with new characters, chill activities, and endless knick-knacks with which to decorate your own virtual paradise. Create a dream island and then invite friends over for tea.

If you're just discovering PlayStation 5 a few years after its debut, you've arrived at a great time. Sony's in-house studios have produced some of their best work in this generation, exploiting the technical prowess of the console while crafting vast narratives and interesting characters. Meanwhile, both major third-party studios and tiny indie developers have exploited the machine and its innovative controller to astounding effect. Sony's luscious 3D platformer sees the eponymous space robot stranded on a distant planet with his hundreds of adorable companions. All the parts of his mothership are guarded by a colourful array of bosses, and you must put it back together.

It was November 2020 when Microsoft launched its latest console duo into the rapidly evolving gaming marketplace. Over four years later, the Xbox Series X – together with its more budget-friendly counterpart, the Series S – has amassed an impressive and varied library of games, ranging from sprawling open-world blockbusters to intimate indie puzzlers. If you're just getting started with the console, here are 15 games that represent the variety on offer, each one interesting, enjoyable and rewarding in its own right. Thirteen years after the original game, cursed horror author Alan Wake returns, now trapped in an alternate dimension and determined to write his way out, while FBI agents close in on the mysterious town of Bright Falls. Why we love it: "a thoroughly entertaining blend of detective procedural and surrealist survival horror."

Channelling the sci-fi military satire and extreme gloopy gore of Starship Troopers, Helldivers 2 was a surprise mega hit on its launch in February. Looking back we shouldn't have been shocked: it delivers engrossing, hilarious co-op action in a range of desolate landscapes against horrible insects and crazed robots, and it makes each fight feel like part of a much wider story – a factor heightened by Arrowhead Game Studios' excellent use of social media channels. What we said: "Everything about this game is ridiculous, including how good it is at what it sets out to do." Read the full review The set-up is not wildly promising: you play as a blob, stuck down a well. But this winding puzzle platformer is an ethereal delight, dense in atmosphere, with visuals that look like a lost 1980s arcade game glimpsed through a window. You explore, you learn new skills, you see lovely creatures.

Apple has just three smartwatches in its current lineup: the affordable Apple Watch SE, the advanced Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the flagship Apple Watch Series 9. All three offer fitness tracking, safety features, Siri support and iPhone integration, and all come in carbon-neutral configurations. But there are plenty of differences too, not the least of which is pricing: the Apple Watch SE starts at $250, whereas the Ultra 2 will run you a whopping $799. Internal sensors, displays and battery life vary from model to model, as well. In short, deciding the best Apple Watch for you might be trickier than you think.

This clever, shareable word game was the feelgood story of the early part of the year, as mysterious coloured-block emojis proliferated across social feeds and half the planet was drawn into guessing the word of the day. Wordle mania might have dissipated a little since the New York Times took it over, but it'll still be a defining game of 2022. What we said: "The simplicity is the charm. One Wordle is released each day, and it's the same one for everyone around the world. There are no advertisements, no niggling notifications begging you to return each morning, no novelty skins … the game's rejection of the capitalistic systems that define so many video games today has a refreshing, innocent quality. Long may Wordle remain so pure."

Looking for the best TV to buy this year? You've come to the right place. We've brought together the definitive list of the best TVs available to buy today from QLED and OLED TVs to new Mini LED contenders, all of which are smart TVs that offer great on-board streaming services. Every TV technology brings something different to the table but they all have similar key aims – to offer better contrast, better light control and more vibrant colors. Each of these is well worth your consideration because they can truly elevate your TV watching or gaming experience.

Thanksgiving is behind us, and the holiday shopping season is now officially in full swing. If you didn't manage to find gifts for everyone on your list during Black Friday, don't fret. We're here to help make your gift-giving decisions easier with a list of excellent, and affordable, tech products that can please an array of friends and family members. All of our recommended gifts under $50 have been thoroughly tested (by our expert reviewers at PCWorld and sister publication TechHive) and received at least a 4 out of 5 verdict. What's more, while all of these products have an MSRP under $50, many of them can be found on sale now for even less at the links we provided.

PC A gentle, board game style town building sim, which has you matching hexagonal landscape tiles to craft unique locations, laying on further puzzles and pleasures as you go. What we said: "This is game-playing at its most thoughtfully relaxing, with that rare chance, in video games, to be the architect of a world, rather than its conqueror." Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox One Part jazz age murder mystery, part ontological odyssey to the birth of the universe, Genesis Noir is a point-and-click puzzler that operates more as a philosophical toy than a traditional game – but don't be put off by any preconceptions that idea might engender. What we said: "The game sizzles with invention, and its hyperactive flits from the cosmic to the prosaic combine to produce an astonishing, memorable and novel piece of work." Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X Agent 47 returns for a climactic series of assassination missions, taking in Berlin warehouse raves, Argentinian wineries and vast English mansions.