Final Fantasy V Pixel Remaster gives one of the franchises’ underdogs a substantial glow-up, in many ways realizing its potential in ways the original hardware or previous ports never could. Series fans should not miss the opportunity to experience it here, if they’ve never played it before.

Riders Republic provides an exhilarating action-sports adventure that will take your breath away with its immersive, eye-candy environments and will have you smiling or laughing throughout.

Project Cars 2 is an exquisite racing simulator that makes learning the game almost as much fun as winning a race. It demands perfection, refuses to ease up, and still manages to be friendly enough for newcomers.

Copy Kitty is a fountain of content and fun, giving 2D action fans a unique synthesis of old concepts they don’t want to miss.

It sounds like blasphemy, but if F-Zero is truly dead and buried by Nintendo, I hope they consider just giving Shin'en Multimedia the reigns. No interference, just some minor IP oversight, and let them do their own thing. They clearly know what they're doing, and have jammed a fully-fledged racer into a tiny eShop pricepoint.

Sea of Stars: Throes of the Watchmaker is a must-play for fans of the base game. Sea of Stars is a must play for fans of the genre.

Crusader Kings 3 is a compelling strategy game that deserves to be played. Paradox Development Studios outdid themselves on this one.

Below is a punishing dungeon crawler, mixing elements from roguelikes, Dark Souls and survival games to create an often painful, yet oddly enticing action-adventure game.

Castlevania Anniversary Collection is a vital collection of the games that made action and horror the genres they are today.

I was legitimately surprised with how much I enjoyed Black Ops 3 as a whole. For a series that has felt so stagnant for so long, it’s nice to see a big step forward in the franchise. It reminded me why Call of Duty is one of the most influential series’ on the planet, even if it didn’t reflect that for a while.

As Dusk Falls is the kind of game that Xbox Game Pass was made for, in the best possible sense of such a compliment; it’s a narrative thriller and adventure that’s easily worth the price of admission, and more importantly, it’s absolutely worthy of your time.

Uncharted Lost Legacy is a stunningly beautiful and entertaining return to form for the franchise.

It is an amazing game, a definite reaffirmation that the series hasn’t forgotten its roots, and is a must own for both fans and newcomers alike.

World of Warcraft: Midnight is an excellent follow-up to The War Within and refines all that makes WOW great, providing some of the best MMO gaming I’ve had in a long time.

While I was skeptical at first, World of Warships has made the transition to consoles better than I thought possible, and is a blast to play.

Matterfall is a fluid, frenetic, explosively colourful arcade shooter sure to satisfy both casual players and high-score chasers.

Metroid Prime Remastered is a masterclass example of updating a classic title for modern audiences. Retro Studios' should be praised for their work, while both series veterans and newcomers alike are encouraged to check out one of the Gamecube's best exclusives, now made better than ever.

Game Freak reinvented their wheel with Pokémon last year. This year they polished the hell out of it.

Metaphor: Refantazio excels in emotional, personal storytelling and sharp intriguing combat, making it a must play for any JRPG fan.

It’s been 28 years, but Live A Live finally gets its proper dues outside of Japan with an excellent remake.

DJMax Respect is easily the hardest music game I've ever played but is also the most jam-packed with songs right on the disc and plenty of content to unlock. While it doesn't feature household named like Aerosmith or other lesser rock bands, it has a little something for everyone.

Rhythm Heaven Megamix is a bright, colourful collection of zany rhythm-based minigames for the 3DS that is easily recommendable to fans of the genre and newcomers to the series.

The overall product is great, and while it might be reductive it is also accurate to call this game more Destiny. The majority of changes are positive, and they are built on a solid foundation of gameplay. When people look back on this franchise in the coming years I have a feeling that Destiny 2 will be seen as a turning point.

Mortal Kombat 1 is an excellent entry point for new comers and returning fans. It outshines every previous Mortal Kombat in almost every way, with intuitive controls and interesting modes. NetherRealm cranks the gore up to 11 and I cant wait to see what else they have in store for us.

Asgard’s Wrath 2 is a near perfect VR RPG. Between its compelling story, great gameplay mechanics and scope it’s a must play for all VR Meta Quest owners. With just a few tweaks to the accessibility, it could have been perfect.

Blaster Master Zero is an excellent reboot of a classic action-platformer, and shouldn’t be missed by anyone who is a fan of the genre, a devotee to the franchise or is simply curious about the Blaster Master name and are looking for an effortless way in.

Gris is a game about loss wrapped up in one, truly stunning package that should be experienced by everyone.

BAKERU blends smooth platforming with incredible combat (and a plethora of gameplay variety) to create one of the most fun games I’ve played in a while.

Doom Eternal’s first piece of substantial singleplayer oriented DLC feels like it is off to a good start, offering a real challenge for fans of the original while feeling like a natural continuation of the base game. In essence, Ancient Gods Part One feels essential to the Doom Eternal experience, rather than something that feels tacked on or unnecessary, while simultaneously setting up some fun narrative beats for part Two of the DLC.

Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania is a fun and challenging action-platformer that will stimulate the part of the older gamers’ brains that loves nostalgia, while teaching a new generation that a 2D game can still be great, even in 2023.

The Last of Us Part II is a perfectly paced emotional rollercoaster ride from start to finish and a worthy sequel that lives up to the original.

Rise of the Ronin was the near-perfect samurai/ronin open-world RPG that I have been starving for, and offers players a lot of choice in their playstyle.

A diverse narrative-driven space adventure for people wanting actual emotions and relationships in their games; that is Tacoma.

RAD is a gorgeous and addictive entry into the Roguelite genre with creative powerups and a groovy soundtrack.

The fact that Phantom Brave holds up over 12 years later on PC is a testament to NIS' conventions sticking and working.

Fashionably two years late to its own Xbox debut party, Neon White doesn't make as big of a splash as its original PC port and brings no noticeable gameplay or visual enhancements to the table. However, it remains a high-quality game, and its Day One inclusion in Xbox Game Pass still warrants giving it a try.

Nioh slips onto the PC and is as great as it was on the PS4, with DLC and some minor control issues.

Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster revitalizes a cult classic JRPG, and plants the genre's flag firmly on the Switch 2's soil.

Potionomics is a genuinely unique take on the sim genre that blends strategy with fun, and bolsters it with lovable and engaging characters.

Final Fantasy IV Pixel Remaster is a nigh-definitive rebuild of an essential entry in the series, revitalized with a new presentation and only lacking the bonus endgame content of other ports.

Observer takes place and memories and turns them into frightening things, dragging the player into realms of terrifying visions that stir up a nameless fear.

If not for a few clunky gameplay mechanics, Little Hope would be the perfect horror game.

Rise of the Tomb Kings is the best DLC Creative Assembly have released for Total War: Warhammer yet.

If you've ever played a Final Fantasy VII title, this is an essential experience.

Injustice is back and good lord is it ever a blast.

Anyone looking for a game that offers an almost endless amount of replayability should definitely check out Duck Game, especially those who have a couple of friends to play with.

Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar is not only a stellar remake of its DS counterpart, it may be the best entry in the series to date.

Zero Time Dilemma is a satisfying conclusion to the Zero Escape series, but I feel it’s missing a final challenge room to test my wits.

ROUTINE combines a retro-futuristic aesthetic with an unnerving sense of dread to create an incredibly engaging and highly atmospheric horror experience.

Tiny Barbarian DX may look like just another indie platformer on the surface, but it is so much more than that.

As poignant and raw as ever, Night in the Woods feels more at home on Switch than anywhere else.

Armada is tactical, unforgiving and at times difficult, but incredibly fun and gives a great feeling of victory when things go your way. It's a side of 40K that I don't see explored that often, and it does so in an incredibly astonishing way.

Expeditions: A Mudrunner Game is a thrilling game that will test even the best drivers in gaming in large, diverse, and expansive maps with challenges all around you.

Dying Light: The Beast is an incredible evolution in the series by bringing back the movement and weapon feel, and evolving them to feel more brutal, which feels incredible after the overturned nature of what Dying Light 2 gave us.

StudioMDHR transports players back into a 1930s cartoon with Cuphead, A stunning yet difficult title.

Cult of the Lamb is a fantastic game with a novel idea that gives the player many activities to do while making your very own Heaven’s Gate. A must play for fans of any genre.

It’s fast and fun; satisfying and elegant. You won’t want to put Dead Cells away.

Paper Mario: Color Splash is an absolute delight.

Donkey Kong Bananza is a fantastic showcase for the Switch 2 and the start of new things to come for the Donkey Kong property, which puts him on par with his overall-wearing Italian rival.

What Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture accomplishes with the well-worn post-apocalyptic genre is remarkable.

Persona 5 Royal may be one of the best Switch-ports to date, and should absolutely be played by fans and newcomers alike.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is an excellent remake of an excellent game with enough modern additions to make it feel fresh and new.

Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble maintains the series’ iconic arcade fun while bringing fresh new elements to enhance the game like never before.

With impeccable world-building and compelling exploration, Sunless Skies is a haunting journey that is worth traversing time and time again.

Capcom Arcade Stadium is a staggeringly good port of many solid games, breathing new life into them with unique challenges and through a robust suite of difficulty options. It’s a great way to experience these games no matter your skill level, and offers so much variety that I just kept coming back for more.

The Lunar Remastered Collection is a window back to the mid-90s that modernizes the presentation without replacing the soul.

Just Shapes & Beats’ excellent soundtrack spawns intricate levels in a stylish aesthetic that is sure to challenge even the most dedicated players.

Full of elaborate puzzles and mysteries, Danganronpa 1.2 Reload brings two excellent visual novels to PlayStation 4 for a great price.

Life Is Strange has already proven itself to be capable of making an interesting story out of its premise, but it’s in this third episode that it has begun to develop a real level of confidence in its narrative.

Mewgenics is a standout RTS-Roguelike that Frankenstein's together the best of both genres in a freakishly delightful new breed of fun.

MechWarrior 5: Clans delivers the classic mech-based action fans will expect, while adding a plethora of new dynamics and modernization to keep things fresh.

While DKCTF’s levels are quite long, have frequent checkpoints, as well as the simplicity and fun of its gameplay, and an overall fast pace make it perfect for gaming on the go.

Getting all these Rare classics for a buck apiece is tantamount to theft in this reviewer’s opinion.

Beautifully trim, transcendently polished, and unexpectedly inclusive, Timespinner is among the most capable endeavours to spring from Castlevania’s picked-over carcass.

It shows that we can still have a game with cross-generational appeal without simply pandering. I can’t think of many (if any) games that do that as well as Maize. Most importantly, though, it reminds us that “fun” and “rewarding” can still coexist, even in a game that I would share with my young nephew.

For people [who] love the world of Borderlands, and people that appreciate snappy writing and surreal comedy, episode 2 is a definite winner.

Achilles: Survivor is a welcome addition to the Roguelike Bullet Hell genre and provides a unique and exciting experience for players.

The Oregon Trail has been brought to the modern day with mindfulness and a wide-breadth of enhanced gameplay.

Galak-Z is a visual delight that will constantly punish you with its complex systems.

Dropmix is fun and engaging, with the potential to grow into something that could revolutionize the music game genre.

It’s simple, charming, it looks great, and has a ton to offer.

Surviving Mars is a challenging yet engaging city builder that makes me want to colonize Mars again and again.

Tinykin does a lot with a little, taking the ideas of the game’s that inspired it and making something wholly its own.

This sucker is just as nasty, fun, and addictive as ever. It’s just that now the face-eating moves are more beautifully animated to keep up with new technology. What a time to be alive.

If you’re looking to unlock your inner D&D dance machine, look no further than The Metronomicon: Slay the Dance Floor. If you’re feeling really ambitious, you can whip out your old DDR dance mats or Rockband 4 guitars. You know, really get immersed in the whole party style. Just be prepared for some humbling gameplay and to come away singing the songs for days on end.

The Crush House exceeded all my expectations, creating an experience that was enjoyable, engaging and incredibly reflective.

Remnant 2: The Awakened King is an excellent addition to an already solid game. It offers a unique new Story and provides a new perspective on a previously explored zone. Additionally, it offers new lore, weapons, gear and Archetype for veteran players to experiment with.

The Switch version of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 is a worthwhile compromise, bringing the same high-quality gameplay to Nintendo with less visual sheen.

Tekken 8 sets a new standard in the fighting game genre, brilliantly blending a vast array of characters, innovative gameplay, cutting-edge visuals, and user-friendly features, making it an ideal choice for both series veterans and newcomers alike.

Persona 3 Reload is a must-play for Persona fans, old and new, revitalizing a beloved classic into a modern JRPG worth revisiting or experiencing for the first time.

Toylogic has done a stellar job in modernizing 2010's release of NieR with NieR: Replicant Ver. 1.22474487139 giving fans of both the original and Automata something new to enjoy in the ever-expanding world of NieR.

It is obvious the love and attention that went into creating Streets of Rage 4, a game made first and foremost for fans, but made accessible and engaging enough for casual players to enjoy. Streets of Rage 4 is a must play, particularly fans who may have been on the fence.

A clever take on two worn genres, Wasted is a funny and addictive genre hybrid that has scores of content at a low price point.

Hitman 2 is possibly the best version of this darkly comic murder simulator we’ve seen in quite some time.

Expertly tuned controls mixed with exploring a thought-provoking, tear-jerking and hilarious story of family and loss make Another Fisherman's Tale a must-play title.

With Assassin's Creed Shadows, Ubisoft has finally delivered on the feudal Japan setting fans have always wanted. However, some elements have been left behind in the wake of the modernization of Assassin's Creed.

Thankfully, the flaws here were minor. Batman: The Telltale Series ended on a high note.

Vermintide is the best kind of game, then; the kind where whimsy dictates the events, but personal skill influences the outcome. Looking at the overwhelming number of my Steam friends that are currently playing, I can see already that Vermintide will quickly become the next title that everyone’s friends will be playing.