Dr. Luigi does an excellent job capturing the addictive gameplay that made Dr. Mario so memorable and fun.

Watch Dogs: Legion is a fascinating game, massively ambitious and crawling with technology that isn’t just on the bleeding edge of what’s possible, it’s pure magic to see unfold. All of that may sound impressive but slick software and a bustling metropolis of people power can’t hide the dull gameplay and shallow approach to the sandbox shenanigans of Watch Dogs: Legion. It’s still a fascinating game to experience in short bursts, and it’s going to be fascinating to see how Ubisoft evolves London to make it vox pop as a next-gen headliner.

Its PvE campaign may be a bit of a wash despite the Looney tunes approach, but if you’re looking for some addictive multiplayer action that hasn’t changed too much between instalments, Plants vs Zombies: Battle for Neighborville is still a chaotic start to the day that is packed full of vitamin C for crazy.

Whether you call it an interactive movie game or desktop thriller, Telling Lies is a gratifying and authentic-feeling fly-on-the-wall experience. For the most part. Exceptional performances and an intriguing, topical story are undercut by a jarring gameplay choice that forces you out of the game when you least want it.

Dark Souls is an amazing and important game, but the remaster does little to spice things up, providing little reason to really go back to Lordran. Blighttown runs at 60fps though, so that might be reason enough for some.

Look beyond the kid-friendly exterior of the Skylanders image, and you'll find that Battlecast has a very competent and meaty system that fuses pricy but non-essential cards with RPG ideas.

Ion Fury knows what it wants to be: A satisfying romp through the past, emboldened by the future and metal to the max.

It was great to see just how my choices affected the game till now and I look forward to unearthing more secrets in this fascinating experience.

Disney Infinity aims high, but a prohibitive cost barrier and a few bugs prevent the game from really soaring. Still, compared to previous Disney attempts at breaking into the video game market, this is their best effort to date.

A lack of story to grab on to may deter replayability, but if you really enjoy the platforming and puzzle solving, it could certainly be replayed and enjoyed.

Blair Witch is a creepy, tense expansion on the mythos established by the films and while it does capture the general aesthetic of the movie does stumble in trying to replicate that which made the franchise so well-regarded to this day.

LEGO Worlds may not have a story mode that emulates the whimsy of its licensed tie-ins or a game engine that runs at a consistently smooth rate, but it may just be the purest LEGO game ever made thanks to a sandbox that has solid family-friendly foundations.

Ignore the obvious Pokémon comparisons, and you’ll find that Yo-Kai Watch 2: Psychic Specters is a charming RPG that manages to take a familiar idea and easily reinterpret it into something fresh and youthful. Yo-Kai Watch 2: Psychic Specters is the sum total of that experience, a reset on a pair of established games that adds even more to its distinct formula of crossing through to the other side. All aboard the Hex Express for this one.

There may be some rough edges, but for anyone looking for some fast-paced mobile suit action and who don’t mind a repetitive grind, Daemon X Machina is a big mech with cheese that’s worth sinking your teeth into.

Project Cars 2 delivers an outstanding racing experience, unfortunately, once the honeymoon period wears off, the by the numbers career mode does little to captivate in the long run, and the numerous bugs and inconsistent presentation and AI hamper an otherwise fantastic game.

Call of Duty: Black Ops: Cold War is exactly what you expect it to be, but there is a massive amount of content on offer here and it's still impressive. Maybe the magic is starting to slip now, but if you've not picked up a Call of Duty recently then grab this one, there's still some fun to be had.

Fat Princess Adventures dispenses with the strategy of the first game, instead focusing on hacking and slashing. If you're looking for a light-hearted, casual Diablo-styled romp that's perfect for the whole family, Fat Princess Adventures is worth gobbling up.

Although it has its flaws, Erica is still a great revival of the old FMV genre, further erasing the line between video game and movie. An inspired control scheme, an engrossing multi-branched narrative that allows for multiple replays, and top-notch acting and directing - usually the pitfalls of the classic examples of the genre - make for a thrilling interactive experience.

Patapon 2 Remastered suffers from the same poor quality video as other PSP remasters, but maintains the delightfully charming gameplay. The original wasn't the most ambitious sequel and while it lacks the freshness of the first game, it makes up for that with both increased width and depth.

With elements of design seriously lacking, it just doesn't feel like Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX was remixed enough. That said, the core game is still great, even after all these years.

I miss the old point and click adventure games. Gabriel Knight: The Beast Within, Black Dahlia, The Pandora Directive, Tex Murphy, Ripper. If you've also *cough* Myst *cough* playing these classics, consider it lucky that Among the Innocent: A Stricken Tale is here to scratch that nostalgic itch. And possibly also make you want to scratch out your eyeballs as you fail at figuring out yet another puzzle.

Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered is still a great game a decade later, but it’s even better now with the addition of modern multiplayer sensibilities, improved visuals, and an expansive single-player campaign.

Trials veterans will feel right at home with this latest instalment in the franchise, but they won’t be able to shake off that nagging feeling that something is missing, despite the new tricks on offer. Newcomers, prepare to fail again and again as you find yourself addicted to a deceptively simply formula.

Battleborn is by no means a perfect game. Underneath its flaws however, there is a satisfying and fun character-driven shooter to be found.

Super Little Acorns 3D Turbo is a simple, addictive, lengthy and most importantly...fun game. Well worth a look.

Its world is magnificently detailed, the story is fascinating and while the bones may not have much meat on them for now, Hunt: Showdown is showing some promising signs of fattening up as it doubles down on adding to its creepy world.

Dragon Ball Z is off to a solid start this generation, with XenoVerse. There’s still plenty of room for improvement, but fans are going to find plenty to love with the latest chapter in this long-running saga that tells the same story but with a different spin.

A short and sweet distraction, Kill It With Fire is a quirky experiment in overreacting and pest control that will hold your attention for an hour or two.

Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince is a return to form for the enjoyable platforming puzzler series, shifting back the perspective to 2.5D while delivering another stunning, satisfying experience.

ICEY IS a neat idea, that admittedly, probably won’t be for everyone. What does beat at the heart of ICEY, is a perfectly acceptable action game with fluid visuals, style and energy. All of which contains an interesting twist on the experience.

Fantastic movement mechanics complement the brutal combat beautifully, and the game on a mechanical level is incredibly engrossing and fun to play. Sadly, there's little else above that to sell.

Life is Strange: Before the Storm’s first episode can feel like a drag in the beginning, with a weak main mechanic and slow pacing, but it all pays off in the end and manages to become a flawed, but captivating experience.

Distance is a racing game which benefits from conventional arcade mechanics, mixed with a beautiful visual style, ambient yet archaic music, and a vast collection of user-generated content. Where it starts to choke is its repeat play value, and a multiplayer that is only as good as the number of players and maps you have.

If you are not a fan of leaving your Sims’ house and going away on a mini-adventure, especially a time consuming one such as this, you may not enjoy all that University Life has to offer. However, there are real benefits that Sims can gain from completing a degree (or two!), including being wealthier and having more ‘personality’.

Valiant Hearts is a good game offering an emotionally satisfying experience. With about six hours of gameplay (depending on puzzling speed) it has solid value. As humans, we should all play this, even though it's not the best gaming has to offer.

Unfortunately, it ended up feeling like it was trying too hard. Begging me to laugh at jokes, to remember references to old characters, and to find that Scottish accent charming. While the game has its moments, it just isn’t the retro gold that I was hoping it would be.

It’s not a complicated or really in-depth title but it is an incredible amount of fun and something that is great for those 15 (45) minutes that you have spare while the wife or girlfriend is getting ready to go out.

There’s a lot of potential still waiting to be tapped in Chikara Action Arcade Wrestling, and considering how the game is in a constant state of evolution, it won’t be long before it makes the jump from the mid-card to the main event spotlight.

CI Games has taken its lessons learned from the past and given Sniper Ghost Warrior a Hitman-inspired makeover. With improved sniping mechanics, and focus on replayable, open-ended sandboxes, Contracts is thrilling and tense - while nailing that perfect shot is endlessly rewarding.

It’s hardly revolutionary, but there’s something compelling about Lethal VR. Its guns pack a weighty punch, its challenges are broad and varied, and its scoring mechanic compels you to take just one more turn.

Desktop Dungeons is a fantastic rogue-like ideal for gamers who have some masochistic tendencies and don't mind spending hours to achieve the personal growth required for success. Those looking for quick and easy rewards should look elsewhere. You'll never look at a goat the same way.

Over a decade later, and LocoRoco remains one of the bubbliest, most charming games I’ve encountered. Uniquely beautiful, LocoRoco’s aged well too, and is still a delight to play.

EA Sports UFC 3 is definitely fun to play and does an amazing job at recreating several aspects of competing in MMA's biggest organization. But despite the knockouts it delivers in some places, it's unforgiving submission system, uneven AI, and a few silly UI and gameplay choices means it's still susceptible to a few knocks itself.

Jetstream is a simple, uncomplicated gem of a puzzle game that does well to keep things accessible whilst also missing the opportunity to expand on many of the games more interesting challenges.

Harkening back to a bygone era, Flying Wild Hog’s nostalgic re-imagining of Shadow Warrior is filled to the brim with bad words, b-grade jokes, buckets of blood, bullets and blades. And sometimes, that’s all a gamer needs.

If you’ve got a need for speed and plenty of death through trial and error, then Remnants of Naezith will easily scratch that itch with its mix of platforming and finding the perfect path through its numerous deathtraps.

Unruly heroes is a beautiful and delightfully charming game, with everything in it looking hand-painted, brought to life by magical animation. It's a pity that imprecise controls make its difficulty curve more frustrating than it should be though. A lacking bit of spit and polish prevent Unruly Heroes from being an outstanding action platformer.

The second chapter of King's Quest is still as charming as it’s ever been, the writing is sublime, the art-style is still magnificent and its orchestral soundtrack is wonderful - but it's hard not to feel a bit disappointed given the lengthy wait.

Bigger, bolder and brighter than ever, the LEGO formula remains unchanged in LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2. While evolution isn’t a building block for this latest entry, fan service, gorgeous visuals and an absurd amount of content certainly is.

Not the best of reboots, but certainly not the worst, the latest Need For Speed plays it safe with a reborn franchise that is focused on finding the lust for momentum that it had lost in previous installments. A solid start, even if it doesn't finish ahead of the pack.

Despite a glacial start, Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon is a more challenging take on the popular sub-franchise. It may have some flaws, but the massive and ambitious online component makes for a fine introduction to a different side of Pokemon.

Despite being a simplistic platformer with a few story issues, Puppeteer is downright charming, adorable and amazing to see in action. It's not your usual guns and bullets kind of game, but then again, it's a breath of fresh air in an industry that is filled to bursting with those games.

Darksiders Warmastered is a more than capable upgrade for a game that is almost seven years old. Fortunately, the core gameplay itself is just as satisfying and brutal today as it was in 2010.

The First Samurai doesn’t end the tale of Nioh 2 in a satisfying way but it does provide a meaningful and fun loot experience. Bbrutal new enemies and new gameplay modes makes the complete package of this game something truly special.

Beneath the fluff and frustrations lies a truly unique game with a wondrous world and a central mechanic that can often cause moments of pure exhilaration. It's a fun, but deeply flawed experience.

It’s clearly well thought out, but in execution The Signifer doesn’t quite match up to its intriguing concept and utterly convincing setting. The latter are so strong, though, that they keep you engaged even as you grapple with clunkier gameplay aspects and an abrupt ending. Ambitious, cerebral, worth investigating.

A madcap blast from the past, Neighbors back from Hell doesn’t do anything to change its original formula, but the added spit ‘n shine polish does give the fantastic pranking sandbox a new lease on life.

If anything, one could describe DriveClub as inconsistent. Issues with required connectivity, sub-par A.I, a fairly shallow career mode and a lack of depth where the cars are concerned hold DriveClub back from being the sort of big-hit exclusive title that the PlayStation 4 will be remembered for in future. However, some great ideas and great handling cars keep the racing and challenges surrounding your friends interesting and fun… as long as you stay connected to the servers.

A disappointing conclusion to an otherwise great game. There are some redeeming factors in episode 4 at least. Good gameplay and epic environments make up for the lacklustre story.

With staples like the persistent timer and sporadic saves gone, the urgency and dread is gone – allowing Dead Rising to be the silly, absurd bit of zombie-slaying mayhem it always wanted to be. Purists may scoff, but there’s no denying that it’s fun – and just about the best Christmas game in existence.

It's fun, and probably the best Rugby game available right now - but is still far from the digital representation of the sport we fans crave. Fortunately, an abundance of tournaments, couch co-op and the Be a Pro mode provide plenty of replay value.

Thanks to being an excellent PSP game, the glossed up version feels like a unique and enjoyable Final Fantasy experience. With deep storytelling and an interesting take on existing lore, fans of the franchise will want to play it. However, if you already gave it a whirl on PSP, it might not necessarily be worth the money to dish out for it again.

Cyberpunk 2077 tells a compelling story with an excellent assortment of characters but fails to deliver on the promises of a living, breathing open-world. All of these faults are amplified by a messy user interface, unengaging combat, and shoddy performance across multiple platforms.

D4 is a darkly weird game, and one that boasts a fair amount of polish as it experiments with genres and controls. It’s not for everyone, but the solid Kinect input and trademark Japanese madness make for one deep dive that you won’t soon forget.

Rocket Arena is a blast with its unique take on explosive arena action, colourful cast and an ambitious game plan, albeit one that plays its payload cards a little too safely.

Despite an upgrade and loot system that’s fairly uninspired and slow, Remnant: From the Ashes manages to make a name for itself with some engaging combat, beautiful environmental design and exceptional boss fights.

There’s a beautifully detailed game just waiting to be explored inside of this sequel to a forgotten cult classic, one that will have hardcore RTS fans in their element if they can overlook a clunky campaign flow and dive deep into its many layers of strategy. Fortune favours those who are bold and prepared in Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia.

Cut from the same cloth as Limbo, Nikola Kostic's puzzle platformer Albert and Otto exudes a strange, otherwordly charm. It's equally fantastic and frustrating, with the experience hampered by it being not quite as polished as it should be.

Michonne is a fascinating character, and one that makes for some interesting storytelling. Unfortunately, the first episode of her tale loses steam after the first few minutes, and boils down into something that feels like it’s been done before.

Though it doesn't have the emotional weight of The Walking Dead or the witty humour of Tales from the Borderlands, Minecraft: Story Mode's best episode yet shows the series fulfill its promise.

When actually playing basketball in game, or even managing how your player spends his time, NBA 2K16 is a realistic and fun experience. Unfortunately, it's broken up far too often with online issues and Spike Lee cliches.

Both pros and beginners will find enjoyment in Sebastien Loeb Rally Evo, though the latter will need to invest a lot of time into it before the driving becomes somewhat doable. Shoddy visuals, audio, and multiplayer hamper what is an otherwise solid rally package.

Online issues and forced connectivity for single player modes keep NBA2K15 from being the year's best sports game. Impressive visuals and rock-solid core mechanics however, make it a necessary addition to any NBA fan's library.

While it shows moments of brilliance when played with the right group, Evolve simply can't consistently promise that level of experience. Play with good friends or play as the monster - but anything else will leave you feeling irritated and unsatisfied.

Originally and stupidly funny, with plenty of charm wrapped up in a package that is a bit too short.

The story presented in this first chapter isn’t the most engaging, but the writing, coupled with the detail makes it all come together. As is usual though, I find it hard to recommend until all of its episodes are released and we can judge it as a whole - but this first episode is indeed promising, laying the groundwork for what should be a grand adventure.

Pocket RPG does everything the name implies. It’s addictive and simple role-playing action right in your pocket. The price of admission seems a little steep though, especially for a title that only lasts a couple of hours.

Serial Cleaner is a brief yet surprisingly addictive blood-soaked stealth game, provided that you can survive long enough to get past its steep difficulty spike.

The inclusion of the Infinity Stones and the change to a more measured 2v2 format make up for the slightly slower pace. Marvel vs Capcom Infinite succeeds as a superlative fighting game, it’s just a pity that everything moulded around it doesn’t quite reach those heights. The Story Mode is abysmal and the roster is uninspired. Despite that, it’s still a blast to play.

Fun puzzler, until you run out of new things to do and feel the drain of the repetition.

The team mechanics put an interesting and unique spin on kart-racing, making Team Sonic Racing undoubtedly fun, but it’s missing the magic that made Sonic & All Stars Racing Transformed a firm favourite.

Lego DC Super-Villains is a light-hearted and surprisingly lengthy romp for the whole family. Gameplay doesn't break from the established Lego formula, and the controls can actually be frustrating at times. You'll soldier on, though, thanks to an entertaining story and lovingly-recreated DC universe – especially if you're a comics fan.

The Escapists 2 is an ingenious and sometimes frustrating romp with a rewarding experience that’s often just out of reach. A follow-up to 2015’s deliciously popular prison-escape simulator, The Escapists 2 stays true to fans with more freedom and level variety but fails to endear detractors.

Hardly strays from the established formula, but that's not entirely a bad thing. Any single game that allows you to play as both Batman and Gandalf has to be doing something right.

The simplified objective makes for a more fun experience, and I wish they made more Mario Party games on the console in this style. That being said, it still is just Mario Party for a handheld console. Don't expect anything more than that.

Refunct is a unique experience that despite the lack of content manages to communicate its themes through simple yet satisfying mechanics.

Sniper Elite V2 Remastered is a decent package, and while it does show its age in some mechanical instances, this slice of nostalgia is still a great appetiser for the next big chapter in Fairburne’s European safari.

Like all board games, Gremlins Inc is designed to be played with friends. If you're going to play this on your own, it's hard to recommend, but if you want to destroy your friendships by cheating over everyone on your path to victory, this might be a digital board game that's worth your while.

Undead Horde is a satisfying hack and slash RPG that is perfect for anyone on the go, offering a good amount of customisation and gameplay.

Even if Just Dance 2017 isn't the greatest game, it's still a whole lot of fun. If you have previous iterations, I'm not sure the new modes or songs are a reason to upgrade, but if you don't have a home dance game, this is well worth picking up for kids or partying adults.

The Dragon of Dojima returns for one more adventure, with the stakes higher and more personal than ever in this touching farewell to a Yakuza legend. With a tale that closes the book on a long-running saga, Kiryu’s farewell results in a story that is as satisfying to watch as its gameplay is as underwhelming to consume.

Beautifully Noir, White Night offers some excellent experiences mixed with punishing frustration. A dark and compelling survival horror, it is certainly worthwhile as long as you can overcome the anxiety and irritations.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Rescue DX may be nostalgic to true believers of the original Blue and Red Rescue Team games, but it’s a more shallow experience for everyone else that makes for an entirely forgettable experience.

Football Manager 2017 offers inclusive functionality, making sure your decisions as a manager can either win you the trophy, or bankrupt your club. It's fun, but it starts to feel like little more than admin after a while. That, I suppose, is the point.

Kirby's debut on the Switch is a vibrant and fun game that's best played with friends. It's cheerful, colourful and its blend of new and old mechanics works, but it's missing the inventive spark that separates good Kirby games from great ones.

Horror-adventure Close to the Sun pairs an emotionally-engaging narrative with arguably one of the most stunning and memorable game worlds of 2019. Pity about the frustrating gameplay choices and story decisions that ramp up in the final third of the game. They cast a shadow over the accomplishments that preceded them.

A few balancing issues aside, Bugvasion is a fun diversion. It’s silly, colourful, and its tactical action has an energetic flow to it that hits a comfortable stride early on. It’s not rewriting the rules of the tower defense genre, but it’s hitting the right marks on a checklist of fun.

Assuming Ubisoft can fix the numerous bugs, Assassin’s Creed Unity might become a much better, more entertaining game. Unfortunately, some issues are part of the core experience, including a lackluster storyline and an ending that feels like a let down. When it works, Unity shows glimmers of pure brilliance.