It's time to start reflexively comparing excellent and extremely addictive roguelikes with BALL x PIT.

When I wasn't playing BALL x PIT, I was playing BALL x PIT. (When I was playing BALL x PIT, I was also playing BALL x PIT.) I absolutely couldn't stop thinking about storms of balls bouncing around with fantastic music playing in the background. The game has a wonderful loop of strategic, randomized brick-breaking, Tetris-style base-building that doubles as an idle game, and a mesmerizing combination of the two parts. Each makes you feel excited to return to them, and you're showered with meaningful rewards. The number of gameplay possibilities, just from the characters alone, never mind the balls—you can even pair any two characters and their unique mechanics—is incomprehensible. I am amazed that there is zero slowdown with how bonkers the game can get. It's very satisfying and unforgettable.

Suffice it to say I was surprised to have liked BALL x PIT as much as I did. The hype is real, and I'm still optimizing for and enjoying the postgame. It's nice to see Kenny Sun having a breakout hit; well-deserved for this beast of a game.

Ambidextro is the definitive two-handed, two-character platforming challenge, and is a masterpiece by developer Majorariatto.

What we have here is an onslaught of meticulous, perfected level design that is extremely demanding at every turn, yet completely doable with practice. I like difficult "rage games" but often find myself uninstalling them like a total puss far before they end. Despite how much I suffered, cursed, and sweat from my extremities, I could find no unconquerable or unfair difficulty spike. New mechanics came, went, and returned in a concise manner. By the end of the game, I had actually gained significant skill at controlling two characters at once using both hands.

How artistic Ambidextro is, too. An epic dynamic soundtrack continually heightens the suspense as you advance. I love the theme and brief story that packages it up, and the pixel art is satisfying and clear with a nice CRT effect that's optional. The sound effects are great, too. It's all a home run with just as much care and attention as the core gameplay received. I'm going to remember this game.

Pro tip, don't cross your legs while playing this. Also, completing it will make you much better at pleasuring your partner with both hands.