The Ico & Shadow of the Colossus Collection does an excellent job of re-mastering the original games, but its greatest success is that it does so without the tweaks ever taking centre stage; it is the original games that make the package so essential.

If we were being super critical, L.A. Noire can feel a little repetitive – and slightly linear – at times.

If we were being super critical, L.A. Noire can feel a little repetitive – and slightly linear – at times.

As a game, it is perfect; it does nothing wrong in itself and the only criticism that can be levelled at it is the lack of online capabilities – although the games which it hearkens back to so closely had no such thing.

Roguelike games have become increasingly popular of late and it’s great to see one which rewards you for all the time spent by allowing a form of character progression. It’s mitigated to a point by having you lose all your money before entering a castle and each purchased bonus makes all the others more expensive.

Earthworm Jim HD is the very definition of a remastered classic.

A Link Between Worlds is a beautiful experience: a fun retrospective of former Zelda glories while providing enough innovation to stand out on its own.

Assassin's Creed Brotherhood is a pleasant surprise in every respect, even though some of the concerns you might have had regarding the single map and ageing formula still stand with the final product.

Assassin's Creed Brotherhood is a pleasant surprise in every respect, even though some of the concerns you might have had regarding the single map and ageing formula still stand with the final product.

Given the consistent rush towards the safe option in gaming today, the possibility of Dark Souls 2 meaning something special to you makes its worth checking out, even if you might well hate every second of it.

If you're looking for a slice of science-fiction heaven that injects the gameplay of Gears of War with a crazy dose of speed, then you won't do much better than Vanquish.

While it might not bring anything particularly new to the formula, the wealth of features and enhancements ensure that WipEout HD is the best iteration in the time-honoured series so far. For the incredible price, it’s an unmissable package.

There are so many moments throughout Dead Space that will have you frozen to the spot, either through awe or sheer terror, and each of the game’s twelve chapters are just as entrancing as they are horrifying. A spectacular sci-fi romp from start to finish.

Insomniac have a gift – the ability to forge games of such a high quality – and to ask them to stop would be a crime against gaming humanity.

It’s engaging, unique, humorous and hugely polished, and earns its place as one of the top original titles on PSN with ease.

In this instance however, developer Etranges Libellules have crafted a game of rare quality, movie spin-off or not.

While it won’t be to everyone’s taste, for those with whom it does click, there’s every chance it will become something of a defining experience and the source of many nightmares to come – rousing stuff indeed, and for 1200 MS points it really shouldn’t be missed.

Batman: Arkham City isn't the surprise that the first game was and instead has to live up to the hype and remain fresh by bringing in new ideas whilst building on the old ones. This sequel handles the challenge admirable, making for what is so far the closest thing gamers have to a definitive Batman experience.

It’s a fast-paced, hugely over-the-top experience, and it should put a big smile on your face for the vast majority of the time you spend with it.

As a whole, SFIII: 3rdS – OE is a celebration of a threequel that wasn't content to merely stand on the shoulders of the giant that preceded it and that in doing so delivered a fighting game that to this day feels incredibly vital.

Left 4 Dead transcends the black and white of 'single player' or 'multiplayer' – suddenly there's a realisation that four players have amalgamated into a single, unified body during play. It's an incredibly exhilarating feeling, and other games offering co-op modes that amount to little more than running and gunning together suddenly appear a little juvenile. Left 4 Dead has indefinitely raised the bar for true co-operative play.

For all its achievements in aesthetics and game structure, perhaps the most significant feature of Red Dead Redemption is the way Rockstar has invested the experience with such a sense of nostalgia and poignancy, by stripping the open-world back to an era in which the telephone is the height of technology, an era which, in all its naivety, doesn’t yet realise how fast the tide of progression and modernity will be.

As a whole, SFIII: 3rdS – OE is a celebration of a threequel that wasn't content to merely stand on the shoulders of the giant that preceded it and that in doing so delivered a fighting game that to this day feels incredibly vital.

Super Mario 3D Land is a glorious example of how a 'less is more' approach can lead to significant rewards. Though Mario plaformers have never been overly narrative heavy, stripping the game back to its basic elements showcases just how solid these elements remain even to this day.

With so much to play through and so many things to perfect and unlock, Joe Danger Touch provides a ton of content for the £1.99 (or $2.99) it costs. As far as the platform goes, it’s definitely one of the nicest-looking and best value games on iOS.

Peggle is a rare, but clear example of a game that utilises a simple concept to create a limitlessly satisfying gameplay experience. There are no end of level bosses, ostentatious cut scenes or superfluous button layouts to memorise, Peggle is simply gameplay refined.

While not as great a progression as it could have been, LocoRoco 2 still manages to squash, bounce and squeeze its way into must-have territory, and is as pristine a slice of portable gaming as one could hope for. Visually arresting, a pleasure to play and an aural triumph (we dare you not to hum along to the soundtrack!), the love and attention that has been lavished on its production veritably oozes from the screen.

Dazzling in design and addictive in the gameplay department, Trine 2 is a spectacular fantasy romp that shouldn't be missed by anyone with a penchant for high-quality platforming with a puzzling twist. It'll get you swinging, slicing, jumping and thinking as you venture towards the next gorgeous land ripe for exploration. Combat can be awkward and you'll fumble with the controls as you attempt to manipulate objects, but these are just minor blemishes on a downloadable title that simply shouldn't be missed.