Don't make the mistake of thinking AiRace Speed can be a solid alternative to F-Zero… because it isn't. This is no competitive multiplayer racing experience, and instead tries to appeal to those that like a trial and error-type challenge that creates its thrills out of boosting and dodging through tunnels that generally all look alike and trying to rank highly online.

Looking at single aspects, SpellForce 3 is successful on all fronts, but this does not tell the whole story as on some level the game fails to come together cohesively. Building up RPG characters works largely well, but the RTS strategy sections leave a lot to be desired and the heroes simply melt into the background too much to be in any way meaningful. There is nothing 'wrong' with the game; it is just never an awesome experience.

Whilst Super Monkey Ball 3D is fun, somewhat harking back to the days of the original GameCube duo, it proves to be far too simple a game on the whole, with not as much variation in level design as in the past. Even the inclusion of the Smash Bros. and Mario Kart-style mini-games do not save Super Monkey Ball 3D from run-of-the-mill status.

Tower 57 is altogether a solid game. It doesn't quite deliver twin-stick gameplay on par with its presentation, but it's still pretty enjoyable. The variety of weapons is nice, and the scenarios presented in each stage make good use of them. It's also great to a visit a world that's so lovingly crafted. The sprite work and animations are very well done. If time permits, gamers should strive to fit at least two playthroughs into their busy schedule, just to see everything.

A fun experience played best with a couple of friends in alternating turns, Super Steampunk Pinball 2D delivers a little burst of fun, with solid controls and an interesting theme. With a variety of balls and one board, this has plenty of room to expand on a very solid foundation. For such a low price, you can't go wrong if you are looking for a quick nifty pinball game to enjoy.

Doctor Who: Master of Time feels like a missed opportunity for FarSight Studios to bring their own creative juices to the fore for The Pinball Arcade, but alas they missed the mark on what could've been one of the more memorable tables. Based off the original real-life table of 1992, this digital remaster puts the focus on the villains of the hit show instead of the different incarnations of the Doctor - but a lack of the theme song or the Dalek's screaming "Exterminate" lessens just how awesome this table could've been. It's good enough, but it's hardly the showpiece table that FarSight would've liked to have had.

While an enjoyable title that has been polished up and seems generally very modern, it cannot be expected that The Sims 4 is not going to be compared to The Sims 3. In this respect, it seems that while the game took a few steps forwards, it also took a few steps backwards by abandoning features that were very helpful and appreciated in the previous versions. It does have new features that people have been waiting for, such as emotions and more personality for the Sims. As for now, for some players it may not quite be worth to abandon The Sims 3 for it, but for new players looking for a first experience with the franchise, they may have an easier time navigating than former The Sims 3 players. People that have previously enjoyed the latter may be disappointed by the menus (Sim creation, building, or navigating town), as they have been so massively oversimplified that they are now actually confusing.

NBA 2K21 is still a wonderful digital simulation of basketball, with a wealth of modes to enjoy, but the MyCareer story has become stale and the microtransactions far too prevalent. This is not the step forwards that it needed to be to keep the series fresh and engaging. In other words, this title does not provide a compelling argument to upgrade from last year's version.

Middle-earth: Shadow of War has high production values and is a fun open-world slashathon, but it's stretched thin. The storyline starts off promising, but all of the interesting characters get pushed aside to make room for nothing of consequence. Hours upon hours are lost to the abyss as players engage in a relentless cycle of gear upgrades and Orc recruits. Assaulting fortresses and conquering territory loses its appeal a bit too quickly. The game is pretty entertaining in short bursts, especially when Talion can make full use of his powerful abilities. Still, the lack of finesse when it comes to combat will make fighting feel a bit bothersome. The Ranger is at his best when he's eliminating the opposition with surgical precision, or making use of hazards in the environment. All in all, this title is worth a look; just don't expect to grow too attached to it.

Caveman Warriors is a cutesy-looking title that is devilishly difficult as a single-player experience. Though still fun to play through, the large wave of enemies can sometimes be a little insurmountable, while the boss fights can vary from easy to defeat to unfairly difficult. However, playing it in local multiplayer seems to be the way to go, as it is more fun to work together in a team and knock away the enemies. It retains the difficulty, though, as dying is for good - until a checkpoint is reached by the surviving members. Unfortunately, the game suffers due to the animation glitches and that dreadful boss glitch that centres on the Cavernator's second encounter. Despite this, Caveman Warriors is still a game that is worth checking out.

Minecraft: Story Mode Season Two - Episode 3: Jailhouse Block throws the gang into its mid-season low point, as the group embark on a prison-breakout with the help of the mysterious inmate, Prisoner X. While Prisoner X adds a great new complexity to the overall adventure, and drops important exposition, she is a welcome addition to the gang. Unfortunately, most of the good stuff does not occur until beyond the midpoint of this episode, as the beginning stages suffer due to a warden and prison hierarchy that makes no sense.

It's clear that Beholder: Complete Edition is trying to tell a story about oppression, coercion, and state observation, but its heavy handedness and console controls dilutes the message it's trying to produce. Other games have achieved much more with so much less, yet that shouldn't distract from what is a management game with a delightful twist. It's fun to be the bad guy and hauling out a tenant because you spied them eating fish can be strangely compelling. Sometimes admin can be fun and Beholder exploits the subservient and rebel in us all.

Building an evident framework for a "good ending" without detailing a clear path to find the requirements, Hotel Sowls struggles between being a true mystery, and holding the player's hand with clues. Replayability, rather than a compelling journey, seems to be the main through line for this title. That being said, the impossibly cute art direction and interesting visual language will keep audiences charmed and engrossed, even if they are not usually fans of the mystery and thriller genre.

Great if you are a tank enthusiast, but for everyone else moving a sluggish brick around a low textured map can get tiresome quickly. This is countered by the length of matches being short enough that a quick tactical battle can be done while waiting for the kettle to boil, and dived into if something a bit more spectacular is installing. Newcomers are going to enjoy the pick-and-play factor. Stalwarts are going to make the most of cross-save and cross play to add a few more layers and months to their experience. It'll stay on the system, but only likely revisited when frustration kicks in from major titles and taking it out on any poor soul that dared to challenge a Switch owner with a Pro Controller.

Driven Out is by no means bad. Many enemies require good timing and telegraph their attacks clearly enough. Others feel less balanced; their telegraphing is slightly too hard to interpret and their attack patterns seem random. The combat system is more consistent in the sense that it's uniformly monotonous; it's about waiting and blocking over and over. Combat never evolves or introduces variety. Each enemy is unique and has different attack patterns, which is nice, but it also means that Driven Out can lose its appeal quite quickly for many gamers. Why? Consider this: games are about learning the ropes, getting over a hurdle better and better until mastery. There is nothing to master here; there are no stages in which to learn how to beat certain enemy types or to become better. Your skill level stays the same. Overall, though: not a bad second game to develop.

Nightmare Boy is an admirable first attempt by a two-person studio, with a compelling artistic vision backed up by wild and unexpected creativity. However, strict adherence to outdated gameplay tropes and questionable narrative pacing make this a difficult game to recommend to everyone, especially with the abundance of other high quality Metroidvanias on the market.

Piczle Lines DX isn't a bad game. In fact, it does what it wants to do almost perfectly. There are a ton of puzzles here to solve, from the small bite-sized ones that can be solved in minutes to big, sprawling challenges that can take hours. Unfortunately, it is simply that the underlying concept here simply is not that interesting. This is a boring kind of puzzler, and feels a bit like putting together an actual puzzle over and over… and over again. There is probably a niche for this, a certain kind of puzzle enthusiast that likes these slower, more plodding experiences. A vast majority of gamers, however, are going to lose interest fast because it only really has one trick that it does repeatedly. Piczle Lines DX is a perfectly adequate experience.

League of Heroes is at its core a good game. Its concept is fine and the game design succeeds in achieving exactly what it set out to do.

It's Speed meets Temple Run, with a heavy Tron filter over everything. It's a fun little runner that has plenty of replayability, thanks to the competitive aspects of the racing, the alternate routes through the stages, and the hidden items to track. However, Razed is quite niche - there's a considerable challenge here and the frustration may be too much for some to handle.

50+ hours of addicting, fun, fast, and easy-to-understand gameplay awaits fans of roguelikes in Pirates Outlaws - plus some simple, yet beautiful, and varied visuals, and hundreds of unlockables (and achievements, for those who care about those). The thing is that the whole thing is a roll-of-the-dice kind of deal, not a turn-based strategy that's mainly about skill. Luck always played a big role in the genre, sure, but here it probably plays the only role. Again, this is fun… but it takes a very specific kind of mind-set to enjoy.

Horror continues to be a real winner in VR. The tense atmosphere and the utter helplessness in playing as a child really translates through the headset. While the core gameplay is basic hide-and-seek, it's still a memorable, if short, experience. Though definitely one that is only worth experiencing in VR. While the whole game can be played without VR, it removes almost all of the tension in doing so. However, Intruders is horribly overshadowed by glaring technical issues. The repeated crashes and getting stuck destroys the immersion completely, something disastrous for a VR title.

101-in-1 Sports Party Megamix may not set the world on fire, or usurp the likes of WarioWare: Smooth Moves from its lofty perch, but Nordcurrent's effort definitely achieves some merit for including such a vast amount of mini-games, many of which do indeed prove to be extremely entertaining, either alone or with three other friends in tow.

Another Sight might not be an adventure platformer that will be remembered like Inside, but it did manage to make playing as a blind girl tolerable. Replay value is low with this one, since there is no post game content and the only collectibles are pages to the character wiki that contains interesting information that should have been an aspect of the actual story being told. The forced walking portions may also kill any desire to replay Another Sight. The moment to moment puzzle-platforming and character switching is the glue that holds this baby together.

An amazing adventure story remastered in a slightly odd way, Syberia Remastered is not the definitive Syberia experience in its current form. The bugs and issues are overwhelming, but will hopefully be quickly patched up so it can function as intended. The new artwork and environments are excellent, managing to recapture the original art style and atmosphere of Syberia overall, but there are too many negative points to ignore. The core story will keep players invested, but perhaps Microids will need to go back to the drawing board on some of the ideas seen in this title before approaching Syberia 2.

The title features an impressive range of different types of bike but, unfortunately, it's still difficult to discern any handling differences between bikes within the same class. It's a bit disappointing that Ride 3 doesn't step things up more in this department, but it's still a much better-tuned instalment. With not a lot of competition in sight, Ride 3 is something of a Forza-equivalent for bike racing enthusiasts, but there's still plenty of room for improvement.

1001 Touch Games may not quite live up to expectations, featuring watered-down editions of many much-loved gaming styles, but at a low price-point it definitely carries enough weight to push extremely weak DS puzzle releases down far enough to warrant some attention from DS owners.

For what is a simplified and chibi-fied version of The King of Fighters '98, this is pretty neat. There are better alternatives in the world of retro game collections, though. In other words, since this has more of a collector's value, if SNK had included a few more titles from the Neo Geo Pocket Color, it would be a stronger recommendation, as this is somewhat too pricey for what's on offer.

Not the entry fans of the series would have preferred to see get ported, but Banana Blitz HD is worth checking out for anyone that never played it on Wii, or those that just couldn't deal with the motion controls back then. It isn't the best example of what Super Monkey Ball is all about, as the unnecessary difficulty of the stages, additional random elements and terrible boss battles can really hamper the fun, but as a party game, it still hits the spot. If you really miss playing with monkeys in balls, this is your best option right now, but let's hope SEGA sees fit to bring the superior first two games over in the near future.

The final part of the original trilogy looks and plays better than its previous two entries, but the cheap difficulty that was introduced sucks the fun out of Ninja Gaiden III. That said, the extra challenging US edition is now more beatable than ever thanks to save states and the rewind feature. By including the original Japanese version, too, there is every chance of getting through Ryu’s third NES adventure without the need to utilise the benefits of this Console Archives release.

Picross S is a fully recommended title for anyone who doesn't own a Nintendo 3DS after some puzzling action to play on the go, which is the preferred way to play this type of game. Whilst lacking the superior touch controls of the 3DS versions, this one does add an array of great assist options and throws a multiplayer twist into the format. Compared to what the long-running Picross e games provide, though, offering just two modes and Mega Picross being slightly adjusted Picross puzzles is unfortunate. For the budget price, 300 puzzles is excellent value, especially if this is one of your first dabbles into the series, but there is no question that more could have been added here. If you have a 3DS, it would be better to stick to the Picross fun on that system.

Wingsuit diving is one of the most exhilarating experiences in the world, and while Rush VR can't replicate it, it still delivers an immersive rush. Every aspect of the game feels fluid and fast, but that's not always a good thing, as one of the fastest things is how it gets old. It will take only the most interested player to unlock all of the routes.

There's nothing new to say about Guerrilla that hasn't been said before - its gameplay is solid and enjoyable enough to hold up its shortcomings in the story and graphics departments. They just don't make games like this anymore, and perhaps with good reason. Nevertheless, this is a robust cult classic that houses some thrills up its sleeve. It's intriguing that Red Faction has even made a reappearance… Is THQ Nordic gauging interest for a sequel, perhaps?

With some truly interesting ideas and story at times, it is even more of a shame that it's the “game” part of Unknown 9: Awakening that drags down the whole experience. Worth a playthrough certainly, but also lacking in some fundamental areas for the era that has ensured this will probably be the last we see of Haroona and the hooligans.

For all its ups and downs, Dangerous Road is a solid Frogger clone. While the packaging may be damaged, the main game is still remarkably fun. It's arguably simple and often negates its own challenges, but it's still a fun little game. The authenticity of the movement and the inclusion of a checkpoint system makes it a solid choice for any Frogger fan—just be prepared for the few glaring issues.

The Coma 2: Vicious Sister would be an acceptable entry level horror-adventure for teenagers. It is easy enough to be picked up by mostly anyone, and the multiple endings add some replay value to encourage new gamers to try things differently next time. The low-key art and animation just barely get the game's point across, and would be more impressive in an adventure title that wasn't horror-themed. Fans of Clock Tower might find this interesting, but it is an amusing distraction at best.

With beautiful and accurate presentation as well as great gameplay, the basics are done fantastically well. It is such a shame then to see the rest of the package convoluted with endless menus and unnecessary, incomplete feeling modes. Madden 21 is certainly heading the right direction, here's hoping the newest iteration 'pads' everything out.

Most Lovecraft fans, or those who are just on the lookout for a good occult mystery thriller, will enjoy Call of Cthulhu, but that doesn't mean that they won't be disappointed as well. Cyanide Studio has wrapped an interesting, and engrossing storyline, with a fittingly oppressive feel, but the actual gameplay part tastes like a half-fried, unsalted octopus *wink-wink-nudge-nudge*

Call of Duty: WWII - The Resistance: DLC Pack 1 should appeal to the dedicated troops that have already spent serious time in the trenches and are maybe growing slightly weary of circling around the Flak Tower and the U.S.S. Texas. Sure, three fairly decent(ish) maps do feel like short change but the particularly strong Operation Intercept does at least go some way to redressing that balance. Putrefaction fans are also well catered for and should enjoy bloodying their swimming trunks on the Darkest Shore. Something for everybody, then... Viva la Resistance!

MotoGP 20 is a fine title to play on Nintendo Switch for those who are itching to jump into a digital bike racer. However, MotoGP 20 suffers from the same old troubles that this may only appeal to the hardcore fans who watch the sport religiously as it is. However for those who haven't dabbled in MotoGP 20 up until this point, it's unlikely that this year's iteration is going to move the dial or sway opinions. But for those who do decide to jump into this title, there is a steep learning curve - but once it's overcome, this title can provide plenty of hours of fun, despite some of the visual hurdles and lack of local competitive racing or online modes.

Ayo: A Rain Tale is a simple platformer that tries to showcase the hardships that are constantly faced every day in the sub-Saharan desert. While this shows that more in a wondrous format, with mystical entities who grant her new abilities to overcome the increasing difficulty of the terrain and enemies, the atmosphere still does enough to bring the pain to the screen. This is a short journey that can be completed in less than five hours, and it features enough fun in it for the game to not overstay it's welcome, though don't expect a tough experience to challenge the brain.

This is a game where the ending sequence saved it. As a platformer it barely stacks up to a lot of the competition; some portions of the art aren't that good; the combat is very wonky, with a "bouncy" feel; and, finally, the story doesn't deliver until the end. Adding some badly designed puzzle sections all pull Neversong down. The ending and the idea the title puts forth is powerful enough - even with some plot holes in retrospection - that is worth checking out if someone is into platformers, and has a few hours to try out something different.

Bermuda Triangle's ecological message distances it from other puzzle games, and the gameplay itself stands strong initially, but ultimately with a glaring lack of content and features that would have been justifiable had it been a downloadable DSiWare or eShop title, the game is hard to recommend to anyone except beginners at a discount price.

Underneath the humorous and colourful, comic-book like exterior of RESEARCH and DESTROY, lies a challenging, but at the very same time super-approachable turn-based strategy game, which also features a unique turn-based system, where everything you do spends actual, real-time seconds, forcing you to be quick on your wits, as well as your hands. Fun as it is, it suffers from repetition, with the constantly respawning monsters adding to that problem even more, marring the tactical aspect of it all.

Valiant Hearts: The Great War is an extremely linear, extremely easy, and extremely… okay adventure game that deals with the real, non-romanticised side of the first World War. Sadly while a product that's deeply engrossing, technically flawless, and simply beautiful to look at, its core, the story and characters, doesn't manage to ever become the riveting war drama that it is supposed to.

Carrion embraces its identity as a "reverse-horror" experience, offering some viscerally violent action that is not for the faint of heart. Presentation here is top-notch: this is a polished title that Phobia Game Studio has taken a lot of care in crafting. Sadly, it stumbles in its core gameplay. The combat is poorly balanced and navigation can be a frustrating chore, but when Carrion does transcend these trappings, it does so with a sadistic glee that makes it unmistakable amongst its peers.

Serment - Contract with a Devil is a fine way to spend a weekend or two. There's a fair amount of depth to both exploration and fighting. The cast isn't especially complex or interesting, but it helps to move the story along. Also, it's really nice that the developer is engaged in post-launch support. Alongside a handful of bug-fixes, there are plans for additional content, including some sort of post-game mode, and more event scenes. Dungeon crawler fans looking for a temporary reprieve from the latest Etrian Odyssey might enjoy their time in this demon world.

Whilst not a travesty in the platform stakes, unfortunately Yoshi's New Island is rather bland and nowhere near the quality of Yoshi's Island on the SNES, and probably not even as interesting as the oft-criticised Yoshi's Island DS.

There is not much to Mom Hid My Game! - the game promises everything it has to offer in its title. It ends far too quickly for it to be recommended to anyone other than small children. What it does offer, though, is some surreal puzzles and amusing sound design. The fun factor comes down to enjoying escape the room style puzzles with a silly coat of paint and not much else.

A fun little throwback to a simpler time, and a fun bash in local co-op, but ultimately a little disappointing considering the lack of lifespan. The core Tour Mode is too short and too easy, and then the extra modes are far too limiting to give this sufficient replayability. For fans of the series that didn't already play this in its first release, it's worth picking up to relieve the original, but it's not worth a double dip.

For what it is, Circle Empires is actually pretty fun. The experience is streamlined, fast, and enjoyable. The lack of any depth is what ultimately kills the game and stops it from becoming anything greater. It is fun for a few romps, or enough to beat the "campaign" of sorts, but there is not enough meat to encourage longer than a few hours' play, maximum. Those few are fun but, after that, the magic at hand quickly wears away.

This is purely a pinball experience without all the bells and whistles, and glitz and glamour of other digital pinball offerings. While some of the pinball tables may feel dated due to their time period, this is in fact the entire point of The Pinball Arcade. Aside from being used for nostalgic or educational purposes into the history of pinball, this is better suited for pinball purists who just want to spend many hours trying to achieve the ultimate glory in garnering the unreachable scores.

While Megaquarium is fun and challenging at times, it tends to become a little repetitive after a while. A few more different challenges would help, while at other points it would have been nice to see an overview panel to make it easier to organise things. The gameplay can easily get messy, which is a shame considering the idea and the colourful setup. Nevertheless, the game is enjoyable and relaxing, and a player may well find themselves playing for hours.

Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance is a fun game to return to, and somehow it feels and plays exactly as everyone remembers, yet doesn't feel any worse than before despite its age. It has the same great loot and explore-heavy gameplay, with hoards of enemies to chop through as well as co-op play. However, it also falls into the same pitfalls, and for a remaster that is unfortunate. It's going to be a lot of fun for those who played it in the past, but new players beware of the rough difficulty and old-fashioned gameplay approach.

Super Monkey Ball: Step and Roll tries to do something different, but instead strips the game of its challenge and throws in some unimaginative mini-games.

On the surface, Neoverse Trinity Edition has everything a deck-building TBS needs to be a highly recommended one, mainly due to its more-than-decent mechanical depth, and, yes, because of its sexy exterior. Sadly, this just doesn't achieve being the next Slay the Spire it wants to be. A bit repetitive, and with a visual wrapping that's as generic as it is nice to look at, Tinogames Inc.'s creation is far from bad, but also something that's far from greatness. Only for - very - big fans of the genre - just be ready for something that's maybe a bit too easy/casual-friendly for your liking.

Great mechanics, great graphics, good music, and a solid story don’t outweigh the steep difficulty and reliance on level-grinding.

After the terrible previous entries in the Sonic Boom series Fire & Ice manages to look superb in comparison, but, on its own merits, it's simply a good game… and there's nothing wrong with that. Not every title has to reinvent a genre or break the mould. This is an enjoyable 2D scrolling platformer that has the added benefit that may introduce some new players to "The Fastest Thing Alive." It may not be perfect, but it's fun and certainly one of the best Sonic games in recent memory.

Typoman: Revised should have been a diversion dedicated to developing diction requiring proficient platforming prowess. Instead, it is a fleeting fancy, a lexicon of letdowns and saddeningly short. Ultimately, while Typoman: Revised has a solid system to base a game around, it ends up feeling like a missed opportunity thanks to its short length, clunky platforming moments, and unintuitive puzzles, but at least has some great achievements and an engaging antonym mini-game.

Drag x Drive is a smart way of putting the Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con to good use with clever, fluid mouse control in a futuristic wheelchair basketball setting. With a unique setup and a fairly steep learning curve, it may not appeal to everyone, though. Once controls become second nature, there is satisfying competitive fun to be had. Drag x Drive does offer good value for the asking price, however there is a lingering feeling of needing more to flesh-out the overall experience.

While Coaster Creator 3D offers great tools, it is a very limited game experience.

Loretta is certainly an ambitious title that offers a unique narrative experience without a lot of close comparisons on the Switch. The atmospheric presentation is great and the dark, unsettling story provides a compelling reason to check out Loretta even with all the other issues. However, some technical issues, underwhelming gameplay mechanics, and a slightly uneven story prevent this from fully realising its potential. Fans of psychological thrillers and narrative-driven adventures should probably give it a chance. It offers a glimpse into a haunting world worth exploring as long expectations are tampered a bit at the door.

Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash is not the best Chibi-Robo - it is not even that great of a 2D side-scroller or platformer, either.

Although only two characters strong, this pass looks to further balance the ratio of females to males, where Tekken 7 is still severely lacking. Kunimitsu and Lidia are excellent additions to the line-up, however, with two massively satisfying combat styles that both look and feel awesome to play. The stages add more variety to the choice of arenas, but although the price reflects the limited amount of content that is included in Season Pass 4, it is unfortunate that there isn't much more to shout about.

By Mario RPG standards, this is not one of the better ones, particularly when it comes to the pacing, design, and story. What saves Mario & Luigi: Brothership from sinking completely is the strategically engaging and fun battle system, delightful animations that go hand-in-hand with the cartoony art style, and the excellent soundtrack. Other gameplay ideas miss their target, and things become a drag far too quickly.

Qomp 2's premise is novel but it is mercifully short. It becomes too annoying to play and there is no replay value. The puzzles and exploration are only made challenging because of the way the ball does its own thing, and once the correct path or sequences are apparent, there is not much else here - yet it is also the entire backbone that Qomp 2 relies on, ultimately becoming a shallow experience.

It is sad to give a rating this low to a game with this much potential. The UI in Hero's Hour is often problematic, and the graphics are just too basic to understand what is happening. Furthermore, there is a very heavy 'rush' element to the game rather than the more plodding pace of older games. If the graphics were better, some balance problems ironed out, and the UI was fixed, this would be an easy game to recommend to strategy players by a wide margin.

Without riding the simulated jet ski model, much of the novelty and magic is lost. Aqua Jet's strongest assets are its audio/visual presentation and the exciting sense of speed when racing on chunky, pixelated waves. Like most arcade games, it doesn't translate to a great home console experience. It's cool to have an option to play Aqua Jet at all, and preserving it is commendable, yet it's not complete without its alluring cabinet. It may look and run better than Wave Race 64, but sometimes that isn't enough for lasting appeal.

Bleed is a short and entertaining romp that will keep anyone glued to their screen. Each stage is packed with fiends to destroy, and the bosses are suitably engaging. The difficulty never reaches a point of needless frustration. Even on the harder settings, checkpoints are generous. There's also a one-life mode for those seeking the ultimate challenge. However, this has largely been rendered obsolete by its sequel, Bleed 2. That's not to say that run 'n gun fans should pass this over, as it is fun and well-designed, but the successor is simply the better pick.

With a bit more time and a few new features, Blek has all the ingredients to become a strong entry into the puzzle world, should a sequel ever transpire.

STAY starts as an nail-biting adventure that's hard to let go of - literally and figuratively. Soon enough, however, it will become an exercise in frustration, partly because of the slow pace of it all, but mainly due to some bad design choices, with the aggravatingly cryptic, and speed-bumpy puzzles taking the biscuit.

When everything comes together, when there is no lag, and when a team works in unison to annihilate their opponents, Dissidia Final Fantasy NT is at its greatest. Unfortunately, the netcode is too unreliable, and the distinct lack of modes for offline play just isn't good enough for a game that had plenty of time before it made the transition from arcade to console. There is scope to expand this into something much more, but whether the budget and will is there remains to be seen. For one of the most original fighting games on the market, though, this is well worth dedicating some time to if you're a Final Fantasy fan.

In a fair, yet plausible attempt to establish which kind of audience Defend Your Crypt seems targeted at - or more appropriate to recommend to - it's honestly quite difficult to go beyond those who want to try every single decent-to-good puzzle game available on their 3DS systems. The inherent simplicity of its core mechanics is at the same time a quality and a limit, and while it's perfect for short bursts - making the 3DS its ideal home - monotony lurks in the depths of this crypt during more prolonged play sessions.

A commendable attempt to bring Samurai Shodown to an old portable format, even though the limited nature of the Neo Geo Pocket Color at the time does hinder Samurai Shodown! 2's chances of being able to hold much attention today. One for the diehard fans that will appreciate the effort of what was achieved with the hardware.

Despite this solid grounding though, the price leaves a lot to be desired. This one is best saved for players in unique circumstances: those who lack a smartphone and are craving something in the genre.

An interesting idea that is lots of fun given the right crowd, but despite its best efforts to make for intriguing level design, the more bells and whistles added to the kitchen layout, the more room there is for frustration to creep in. Overcooked! Special Edition is the best value version so far, with DLC already included, and those that enjoyed it before will enjoy it again. However, just be warned that solo players should steer clear, and those wanting multiplayer fun need to make sure those in tow are not inept at juggling numerous tasks under tense conditions or else the entire group will just quickly start to hate the game and each other…

Just Dance 2025 Edition doesn't reinvent the groove, but it delivers another fun-filled compilation with broad appeal. The core experience remains charming, though the limited song list and heavy reliance on a subscription may leave some dancers wanting more. Optional camera controls (via app) are fun, but the game doesn't go too far beyond being just another compilation.

Puzzle Adventure Blockle is one of the better puzzlers, and, luckily, one of the cheaper ones, too. Its only major flaw seems to be its disappointingly low replay value, as well as the absence of a decent "bait," which would force players to try and reach its end.

The systems of Class of Heroes 3 Remaster are some of the most thought through in the genre. The classes are creative and diverse, and there is always a new reward around the corner. However, the early game feels like an early Etrian Odyssey game, while the rest of the main game feels like a more recent Etrian Odyssey game on picnic mode. While neither is bad, those who enjoy the latter would have already been thrown off by the former, and those who want the former will be bored by the latter. In addition to this, the poor translation makes it difficult to recommend it to people who are not massive fans of the genre, and even then, the easy difficulty level will likely make it a bad match for those players as well. For dungeon exploration alone and tinkering with menus, Class of Heroes 3 Remaster is one of the best in class. However, none of the menu tinkering truly matters in terms of actually beating the game.

Picross S: Capcom Classics Edition delivers what is promised: puzzles full of classic Capcom games and characters, with beautiful artwork and a soundtrack to set the scene. Thanks to the different modes, hours of gameplay await both experienced and new players. Train your brain and relive the classic Capcom era!

The folksy ambiance helps Mundaun distinguish itself from most horror indies on the market. The rough and flawed graphics work in ways the developer may not have intended and the frequent backtracking may not be for everyone. With only Curdin's notebook giving any idea of what to do and the terribly unresponsive combat, many people might give up on Mundaun. It may be a slog at times, but this is definitely worth a look for fans of horror classics.

Samsara is a visually attractive puzzler that plays out on two planes. Trying to simultaneously navigate Zee and her shadow self to their respective doorways by manipulating the walkways with placed blocks is a tricky thing to do. With limited blocks, and endless lives, trialling different solutions and seeing what works and what doesn't is a fun and rewarding experience. There are always surprises hidden; whether it's weird deaths or getting Zee trapped between a rock and a hard place. Figuring out these puzzles is a fun little diversion, and Samsara is well worth the time to solve some puzzles.

While not a bad game, Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright is one of the biggest disappointments in the series in years.

Tower defence games may have lost their popularity somewhat in recent years but PixelJunk Monsters 2 shows why it exploded in the first place. It is insanely addictive and just the right level of challenging, although certain folk may find the frustrating elements a little too much to enjoy. Some will find achieving every perfect rating compulsive, while others will find it wholly off-putting.

In a generation that has struggled with finding the right balance of pace, it is refreshing to see a developer place a great deal of emphasis on patient gameplay and actually pull it off. Vertical progression and slow movements are valued over everything else, and these are the two elements that allow TumbleSeed to thrive as much as it does. Unfortunately, that same level of importance given to fine tuning the controls and concept is noticeably lacking in the level design, as roguelike randomisation is given priority over traditional, handcrafted stages. Along with too many power-ups and unlockable skills that trivialise most of the difficulty, TumbleSeed fails to live up to all its potential despite the clear amount of creativity put into its premise and a strong first impression.

The root of the story is legitimately interesting, but the problem is that there is a lot of work to get there. Between various platform issues and a meandering plot, the payoff often isn't worth it - which is unfortunate as some aspects really stand out. While the overall premise of the story is memorable, everything it takes to get there is not.

VirtuaVerse isn't all bad. It is a solid 10-plus hour plot that is a clear homage to some of the best portrayals of this dystopian vision of a futuristic world. There are a few nice set pieces here and there, and from a graphical standpoint, the visuals pop on the screen and are incredibly memorable. Likewise, the musical score compliments them ideally. However, this is an adventure that never gets off the ground thanks to lacklustre main characters, forgettable dialogue, and a clichéd plot. Worse still, the puzzling point-and-click adventure aspects of gameplay detract from the above more often than they enhance.

Unfortunately, Swap This!, like most matching puzzle games, is exactly that: just a matching puzzle game. It looks good, it will satisfy your need for something fun and casual-friendly, and it carries a killer price... but don't expect something more out of it.

Unlucky Mage is a game that people looking for a specific itch will find attractive. There is nothing here that is going to grab players who aren't already into the JRPG genre, but those that don't mind the bad graphics and simple battle system will like the throwback. The writing is much more mature than what the visuals may imply, and the story is the main draw of the game. Going in with moderate expectations, the game will surprisingly deliver them.

What Spirit of the North: Enhanced Edition does, it does well. Essentially, what is on offer here is a beautiful relaxing experience accompanied by a haunting and fitting soundtrack. Occasionally some sort of gameplay element and extremely light puzzling will be experienced, although this is often hampered by janky controls and glitching. The sheer gorgeousness of the world old red inhabits is worthy of admission alone, and the overall style and presentation of the package is what elevates this from "leave well alone" to "give it a lazy Sunday try." If already owning the original release, there's nothing here to justify jumping back in for, but for newcomers looking for something a bit different, certainly consider giving this fox a fumble.

The large amount of content in Shantae: Half-Genie Hero - Ultimate Edition may be misleading, as it feels spread thin across the short main game. This suggests that the developers may have originally planned for more levels, but were unable to complete them. The trade-off for a shorter game is a larger amount of bonus content and a high-quality presentation. However, this repetitive level design may cause player fatigue before they are finished exploring all of the extra modes.

Sonic Unleashed proves that Sonic Team are back on track with Sonic in some respects, but there's still a way to go before they get it right - trimming the unnecessary night-style stages away, or evening the mix of gameplay, would be a great start.

There's definitely fun to be had here, but there are a few issues holding this former mobile title back from being really great.

Piofiore is a solid and enjoyable romance story, but one that falls a little short from some of the better Otomate productions out there. One thing that does set it apart though are its bleak story paths. There's torture, murder, rape. Things get awfully dark, much more so than the majority of these types of titles, and for those who enjoy such experiences, it certainly delivers. Stay with Cubed3, as it will soon be looking at more Otomate games coming to Switch.

Azure Saga: Pathfinder is easily recommendable to people who can stand flawed games as the core of the world and the combat system are very enjoyable and entertaining for the price-range and can actually in some aspects be seen as a textbook example of how to make a good JRPG.

Adventure Time: Finn and Jake Investigations' biggest problem is that everything just feels bland.

The story is interesting and giving the FPS nature of Battlezone: Combat Commander, it feels much more 'personal' given the unique hybrid aspect of the game. The strategy elements and the FPS parts do not stack up to modern conventions, but are sufficient enough to work. The real appeal is the fact that this is a hybrid of two very different genres and, while not perfect, considering its 20 year age, it is worth checking out of if this mixture sounds appealing, as the story is indeed fun to experience.

Yars Rising offers a unique interpretation of the classic Yars' Revenge. While the narrative may be unmemorable and the cutscenes intrusive, the gameplay remains engaging, thanks to its surprising remixes of the original game and how they fit in the structure of a Metroidvania. The stealth mechanics, though simplistic, contribute to the overall experience.

While it is clear that The Council is designed for multiple playthroughs to select different choices to influence different endings, the challenges thrown into Checkmate do make it a grind to have to replay, and to be honest, none of the good endings are even worth pursuing to that extent. The Council tells an intriguing and ambitious story, and Big Bad Wolf have shown the potential of what they can achieve for their next endeavour.