A sublime fighting game masterpiece from a company at the peak of their powers, Street Fighter 6 is utterly incredible.

Final Fantasy VII Remake strikes a fantastic, resonant chord that will leave long-time fans and newbies alike wholly satisfied.

Psychonauts 2 is a wildly creative, engaging, and thought-provoking masterpiece that bears the standard for all 3D platformers going forward.

An uncompromising vision of wonder and terror, Elden Ring is the ultimate dark fantasy odyssey.

Umurangi Generation: Special Edition is a thrilling dive into a world on the brink of collapse, and a singular gaming experience that will stick with you long after you put it down, made only better by the included DLC and quality of life upgrades on the Switch.

Lucky’s move to Switch is a lovingly-crafted adventure that exudes creativity and fun, and if it’s any indication of what to expect from future outings from this delightful little fox, count me in for the long haul.

Bolstered by new features and quality-of-life upgrades, Disco Elysium remains a clever, uncompromising examination of how hard it is to do something as complicated as exist in the real world.

A beautiful sequel that successfully manages to improve on almost every aspect of the original, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is one of the best Metroidvania experiences you can find.

A faithful remake that does exactly what it needed to do while adding plenty of its own ideas, Resident Evil 2 is now as terrifying in 2019 as it was in 1998.

One of the most intoxicating and dazzlingly dense RPGs of its generation that deserves to be in the GOTY conversation.

An all-consuming epic, Crusader Kings 3 marries its grand strategy with more involving RPG elements to create one of the best games of 2020.

A refined experience from a much more mature FromSoftware and a crew behind their best hits gives a once obscure franchise a more palatable experience for all makes Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon an unforgettable mecha action game for the ages.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy is a polished version of an already almost perfect trilogy filled with more quirky characters and complex murder plots than you can fit in a courtroom.

Falcom’s stunning retelling of the series’s origin is the new definitive starting point for your Trails journey, and an excellent RPG in its own right.

Pikmin 4 is a deviously addictive and clever adventure, perfect for newcomers and experienced players alike. These sprouts may have taken a long time to grow, but this bounty was definitely worth the wait.

Blue Fire is a fantastic mix of 3D platforming, intense combat, and addictive free-form exploration. A somber story perked up by colorful characters makes this an experience you can’t miss.

A supremely dense hybrid of many different genres and styles, Marvel's Midnight Suns is an absolutely smashing time and one of 2022's best.

A crystalized version of everything good about its genre, Littlewood succeeds by giving the player all the tools they need early and still finds ways to surprise and delight over years of play, both in-game, and likely in real life too.

Sea of Stars is a love letter to classic 1990s JRPGs that transcends the genre and perfects the form.

Persona 5 Strikers will catch you off guard in the best way. You’ll never see it coming.

Life is Strange 2: Episode 2 is easily one of the best episodes in the franchise, a beautiful continuation of the story and an improvement on the first episode in almost every way.

It’s an almost instant classic with some of the best character interactions I have had in years.

Panzer Corps 2 is a must-buy for any history and strategy game fan.

Streets of Rogue has the heart and complexity rivaling any major release, even without a story to back it up. If you have the hard drive space, there’s no reason not to pick it up immediately.

Katana ZERO’s almost unprecedented level of polish, lightning-fast gameplay, and thought-provoking story make it one of the year’s best indie games.

Mortal Kombat 1’s New Era might be a bit too familiar, but the core gameplay and range of modes on offer here is undeniable.

Brothers: A Tale Of Two Sons is such a natural fit for the Switch that it’s easy to look past its age and just enjoy the experience as the story sweeps you away.

Super Mario Maker 2 is the ultimate package for both casual and dedicated Mario fans.

Simultaneously a throwback and a breath of something new, Eastward is a magic trick of blending familiarity with novelty and grim apocalyptic sci-fi with wide-eyed fantasy.

A potential GOTY contender already, Sifu is martial arts excellence that’ll challenge and delight in equal measure.

Despite being four years old this year, Downwell is still as maddeningly enticing as ever and, thanks to the multitude of ways of playing, might be at its most compelling on Switch.

Kaze and the Wild Masks is almost the perfect 90s sidescroller throwback, and a perfect way to fulfill your 5 a day.

This is a game that does not give up its secrets easily, but offers players a wealth of options to succeed - with enough perseverance.

A brave, ridiculous survival horror game that oftentimes needs to be seen to be believed, Alan Wake 2 showcases a developer at the peak of their powers.

Multiplayer and loading screens aside, Devil May Cry 5 is exactly what it was meant to be and more. With a great plot, beautiful visuals, and near perfect gameplay, Capcom delivers possibly the best Devil May Cry to date.

Like Streets Of Rage 4 before it, Lizardcube have taken a beloved classic and made it their own. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a triumphant return of a classic.

The Pathless is a fantastic game full of rewarding exploration and moment-to-moment gameplay that gets right at the heart of what makes open world games fun.

Don’t confuse Miles Morales for a sidekick or kid, and don’t pass up on another great adventure.

Streets of Rage 4 is back and it’s better than it ever has been, thanks to a host of important gameplay improvements.

Hitman 3 takes everything good about the rebooted series and combines it with worthwhile features and levels that are more interactive than ever before to create one of the best stealth games of the last decade.

SUPERHOT: MIND CONTROL DELETE takes the bullet time brilliance of its predecessor and adds many new toys to its violent chessboard to even more thrilling effect.

Tekken 8 appeals to both the casual and hardcore playerbase, with a great selection of modes, training tools and additional gameplay depth. 2024’s fighting games are off to an excellent start.

When it sinks its fangs into you, Mordhau has dozens of hours worth of head chopping, arrow shooting, character customizing, build testing, and lute playing to offer.

With its dedication to fantastic storytelling and some innovative tweaks to its gameplay, Lost Judgment is guilty of being a damn good game.

Who knew the holidays with Cthulhu could be so much fun? If you put one game on your Christmas list this year, make it this one.

There is more content to play with here than a thousand Dragon Balls could ever wish for. Simply put, Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission is a gigantic bounty of arcade and card-based fun and creation that keeps on giving.

Simply put, Devil May Cry 3 is not just an outstanding port, but also an utterly essential Switch game.

F1 2021 manages to successfully include an engaging story mode while also making a series of improvements that keeps the racing game ahead of the pack.

Do not miss out on Ryo Ga Gotoku Studio’s best adventure to date.

Sekiro is a tremendously fun and difficult game -- everything from the combat to the world itself is crafted in a masterful way. Even after spending around 40 hours to beat it, I still want to come back for more in the coming weeks.

Despite the challenge it presents, there is an undeniable quality present that makes Driven Out incredibly difficult to turn away from.

Small but perfectly formed, if you get any joy at all out of smashing things to smithereens, there’s hours of fun to be had with Teardown.

Though Life is Strange: True Colors isn’t as action-heavy as previous games, its relaxed atmosphere, witty writing, and visual upgrades easily put it on par with the best of the franchise.

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is the final stop on the game's redemption tour, and what a redemption it is. If you were still cynical about CD Projekt Red as a studio, it's time to start believing again.

Even if you’ve played them many times in the past, there’s something about this Switch port that feels fresh, providing a welcome reminder of just how brilliant both games are in their own distinctive ways.

One of the most innovative shooters in years is now one of the most innovative shooters on the Switch.

The Bayonetta & Vanquish 10th Anniversary Bundle combines two utterly fantastic games into one affordable package. If you haven’t played either game, this is your chance to fix that.

Trine 4 is a love letter to fans, providing a fully-realized puzzle game rife with experimentation, quality-of-life features, and utterly breathtaking visuals, all but guaranteeing a bright and beautiful future for the franchise.

The depth of Planetfall's decision-making, presentation, unique features and overall high quality of polish alone warrant a look.

A brilliant superhero game, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 largely improves on the core formula while telling the most intimate, dramatic story yet.

Total War: Three Kingdoms is the best the series has been in a decade. By emphasising on characters and their relationships, each campaign feels like an epic narrative of friendship and betrayal.

Resident Evil 4 is a worthy companion piece to survival horror royalty that's sure to go down as one of the year's best games.

What Oninaki promises is a thoughtful, expertly-crafted and gorgeously-animated story that will have you seeing it through to the end and into the Beyond.

Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth sun-baked adventure expertly improves on the last game’s formula, while giving enough space for both of its leading Dragons to truly shine.

F1 2020 is not just a great Formula 1 game but also one of the best racers released this generation, thanks to its responsive driving, wealth of options, and in-depth game modes.

Take Us Back caps off The Walking Dead: The Final Season on a pitch perfect note with the goodbye that Clementine deserves.

Building upon its source board game in utterly delightful ways, Quilts and Cats of Calico is an absolute winner both as a digital adaptation of a board game and a new entry in the crowded cozy gaming genre.

eFootball PES 2020 is a near-perfect football sim that deserves your attention.

PHOGS! is possibly one of the best co-op games ever made and the perfect remedy for a hellish 12 months.

While PS4 veterans might not get as much value from the re-release, Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut is a wonderful showcase for the PS5 and an incredible package for newcomers.

Dragon Quest XI S is an excellent version of an excellent game and, if you have the time to spare, an enjoyable JRPG for the whole family.

Even the most jaded of battle royale fans will find their interest rejuvenated by Apex Legends thanks to Respawn's attention to detail, superior gunplay, and fantastic innovations, though the loot boxes and progression system certainly need addressing.

Entrancing, magical, and beautiful, Eastshade is much more than a pretty picture.

Unity of Command 2 is an excellent evolution of the series that retains, improves, and builds upon the already high quality of its predecessor.

Having seen this case through to the end and witnessed every last revelation Ghost Trick has to offer, I can confidently say its reputation is well-deserved. Fiendishly clever, excellently paced, and endlessly full of surprises, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective truly deserves its time in the spotlight.

New Horizons is a great continuation of an already fantastic series of games, and paying back Tom Nook’s loan has never been so fun.

No matter how many times you find yourself escaping the Underworld, this game will keep bringing you back for another round.

Though River City Girls may be called a side story in this universe, it has become one of my favorite games of the year.

Command & Conquer Remastered Collection pays homage to every aspect of the old titles while bringing them into the 21st century. A must-have for anyone remotely interested in the series.

Wasteland 3 is a terrific sequel that blows its predecessor out of the water in every aspect.

Fuga: Melodies of Steel is a deep strategy-focused JRPG with a dramatic wartime narrative that is sure to hook fans of the genre.

Make no mistake: while it certainly doesn’t redefine the genre, Feudal Alloy is an incredibly strong second title from Attu Games. It abides by genre conventions with a style that is all its own, nearly flawless gameplay, and an injection of strategy sorely missing from most Metroidvanias. One of 2019’s first strong indie titles.

One or two nitpicks aside, Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout is a ridiculously good time and one of the standout titles of 2020.

This game slashes a lot of nails on the head and excels in so many areas that the most recent releases seem to have forgotten about. I just hope taking a look at this game reminds Omega Force and Koei Tecmo what is supposed to be at the heart of a Warriors game and the Warriors series.

Rebirth subverts player expectations by offering intriguing new features and wonderful world design. Even if the puzzles are sometimes obtuse, Rebirth is well worth your while.

Despite some hokey voice acting and a few technical quibbles, Darksiders: Genesis manages to be every bit as significant to the franchise as the mainline games.

A Plague Tale: Requiem is a brilliant follow-up to 2019’s cult hit, and could be a real contender for a lot of people’s Game of the Year lists.

Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain shakes up the series at its core, and still manages to be a decidedly great EDF game. Character creation and the PA-Gear fit right in and offer a newfound sense of personalization and freedom, while the grim presentation and heightened difficulty will keep you engaged throughout. It’s a real gem.

Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan is a fun and wholesome platformer-RPG with a charming aesthetic and engaging nonviolent gameplay for gamers of all ages.

A truly fantastic beat ‘em up that’s been brought back from the dead, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World: The Game - Complete Edition is utterly sublime.

Full of wit, great gameplay and memorable moments, SuperEpic is simply one of 2019's best indie games.

Although short, it is a hoot from start to finish and easily one of the most fun games you will play this year.

A perfect homage to an older genre, Nelly Cootalot: The Fowl Fleet is filled with humor and charm.

Two Point Hospital modernises the Theme Hospital experience while working beautifully on consoles.

Though Blasphemous 2 lacks the wow factor of the first game, it does smooth out its edges to the point where it feels like a tighter, more fluid experience.

Not exactly a huge advancement on last year, but WWE 2K23 didn’t need to be, instead offering smart improvements on an already great formula.

Moonglow Bay is a fun fishing/slice of life game with a charming story and rock-solid gameplay.

Videoverse joins an immensely charming, detailed snapshot of early 2000s online fandom with an intermeshed web of heartfelt and incredibly human (sub)plots.