Plenty of modes, plenty of unlocks, this is a full and fun package of wild racing.

Horizon: Call of the Mountain is the single best VR game I’ve played and shows exactly what the PSVR2 is capable of. It has its glitches, some of the climbing can go a bit wonky at points and the general gist of the game never wavers too far from climb, shoot arrows at baddie, craft a bit, climb, etc. But as developers get used to the tech things should only improve. And for now we have a wow game at launch for the new device.

DOOM: The Dark Ages is the perfect antidote to anyone that felt Eternal was getting away what made the reboot so special. It’s as metal as they come, endlessly playable, and with memorable moments scattered throughout – whether it’s the ones you create moment to moment or those id has laid out.

With 4K resolution, 120FPS multiplayer, cross-play action from Xbox to PS5 Dolby Atmos music and Spatial Audio sound effects, this is the best version I’ve ever played of this game.

The story unfolds at a nice pace that allows you to dip out and into side quests throughout the map to become a part of a wider nation-shaping arc. Rise of the Ronin is another cracking PS5 exclusive.

It’s a warm nostalgic hug of a game for fans of Indy and well worthy of being the last big hit game to see out the year.

And while leaks suggest the Nintendo Switch 2 is imminently on the horizon, it’s brilliant to know at such a late stage in this console’s life that the firm can still deliver nice little surprises like this for gamers...Fun, playable, challenging and packed full of replay value.

Overall, another fantastic Mario game and a real fun standout for the Switch console.

Overall, the game itself plays very much like before. But with the added extras and better visuals the package as a whole is fantastic value for gamers who have never tried a Tony Hawk game before and will be very appealing to those old school players who want to step back in with their on-the-go handheld.

Six years later, Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen is still an exceptional adventure game - the only difference on Switch is that you can now take the fun on the road with you.

Battle for Bikini Bottom is like comfort food. It’s easy to indulge and uplifting in all the right ways. Like a childhood blast from the blast, it’s quickly easy to see why this licensed platformer became a cult-classic. It’s hard to judge whether it will find an audience now. The platforming genre is gearing for a new renaissance with the upcoming Ratchet & Clank and Crash Bandicoot 4, but maybe this is should be seen as a love letter to a bygone era and transition from the old to the new.

World War Z is a pretty fun but extremely short co-op zombie shooter that is eerily similar to Left4Dead but helps counter the withdrawal any fans of that franchise may have. A few more bug fixes and much more in-game content would give this game the much-needed resuscitation it deserves.

Dragon Quest Builders 2 balances itself almost perfectly between the thrill of exploration and fighting of strange baddies, and the serenity of building. While it might lean over one way or the other on occasion, its foundations are solid and hard to crack.

Over 200 hours worth of high-quality content, playable at home or on the go, Final Fantasy X/X-2 Collection is a must-buy on the Switch. Those that have played before will happily greet old friends, while those that haven't explored Spira will find just as much to love.

Paper Mario: The Origami King is a vibrant, detailed, and exciting adventure filled with bustling hubs and lots of hidden treasure. Sadly, whilst the battle system looks good on paper, it isn’t the enjoyable or in-depth RPG system long term fans were hoping for. The writing is consistently laugh-out-loud funny though, and that’s the most important thing in any Paper Mario game.

If you stick with it, No More Heroes 3 is great fun, packed full of enjoyable gameplay and frantically memorable moments.

Cuphead is frustrating but fair. It’s about incremental improvements over hours of practice. You need to constantly learn new tactics as each boss fights differently, and the penultimate battle is particularly inventive. No matter how upset Cuphead might make you, though, you keep wanting to come back. The sense of accomplishment that comes with victory washes away any anger you once felt.

This is an incredible game that is well worth experiencing, but there’s an elephant in the room. The Switch price is £35.99, which is sure to demoralizing consumers as it’s more than double the Steam price, for a port that doesn’t improve on the original. There aren’t even touchscreen controls, which would have been a perfect addition for the Switch.

It’s beautifully written, has a subtle but evocative soundtrack and really a groundbreaking gaming effort, particularly for players who have never seen Before Your Eyes. It’s a bit of a one-and-done game, so burns bright but dies fast. That said, for £12, this is a wonderful example of the interesting places VR gaming can go in future.

Super Dragon Ball Heroes World Mission is not for everyone, but if you can push through the tutorial and put in a few hours, it's a content-rich, bonkers, colourful battler that fans of the franchise will enjoy. Just take note - its power level may vary for those that aren’t deeply rooted in the franchise.

This is an excellent start by the Ubisoft bods and I suspect the inevitable follow-up will fare better once more varied gameplay is added into the mix.

Final Fantasy 7 is still worth playing in 2019. Its legacy is undeniable, and as we wait for more news on the Remake, we can look back at the original which is now available on every current console. There's a reason Cloud and Midgar appear in Super Smash Bros - they, and Final Fantasy 7 as a whole, are true icons. Unfortunately, this piece of history hasn't received the port treatment it deserves just yet.

Vertigo has done a top job in distilling the strategy genre while making it feel like a fun and natural VR experience. It’s accessible not only in its design but the way you interact with this world and its many moving pieces.

The game is best played in short bursts, and it shines when in handheld mode. But the costumes don’t really add anything, and sometimes you’ll come across levels that are just there to complete - they feel like filler, padding stuffed in this wooly wonder to fill it out.

Iceborne is as much a roaring success as Monster Hunter World was, and it can receive no higher praise than that. It successfully adds in new layers, monsters, and a beautiful new area, all of which will have players flocking back to the game to experience it all. It’s fun, it’s hard as nails, and it makes my PS4 sound like a jet engine. It’s a truly brilliant expansion to an excellent game.

Dead Island 2 is a first-person action RPG that’s packed with as much dark humour as it is body parts.

The witty writing and unique premise still make Beat Cop a street worth investigating. It has plenty of questions to post on morality (just how far would you push your agenda on the people that look up to you?) but makes it silly and accessible enough to never become too dire. Its a riot, and well worth a routine inspection.

The end result is a loot shooter far more confident and coherent than what we’ve seen before. Ubisoft Massive has learned from past mistakes, side-stepping those same pitfalls to deliver a sequel that feels dense without becoming tangled. There are still some rough edges and the burden of carrying a limp story but, ultimately, The Division 2 triumphs over everything else this genre currently has to offer.

Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore is a captivating, entertaining take on the best bits of Fire Emblem and Shin Megami Tensei and deserves praise for its inventive battle system and unique setting. The performance, extra content and handheld functionality make this a must for JRPG-loving Switch owners – even ones that owned the game back on Wii U.

This reworking of a PC hit makes it a highly approachable, massive role-play action title that is as welcoming to new players as it is MMO experts hell-bent on sinking hundreds of hours of gameplay in. The fighting is fun and the world building is extensive. Well worth a look.

If you’re looking for something different, a bit like a touchscreen mobile game, but one that is unique and will test your puzzle skills, give it a go.

Steins;Gate Elite provides a much more aesthetic and visually engaging approach to the genre. The daunting task of reading mountains of dialogue is made less overwhelming with visual aid that not only brings the story to life but deepens your emotional ties with the characters within it, maximising the emotional impact as the story unravels. Animated scenes also do well to make an enticing new entry point for players whilst offering a sense of nuance that’s as good of an excuse as any for Steins;Gate fans to revisit this top-notch series.

Ultimately, this is a difficult, stressful game, but a fun one if you can pull off some epic stealth takedowns and are happy to quietly chip away at a mission, rather than go in all-guns-blazing.

A great introduction to RPG games and offers a challenge as you push through the title. It’s got a lovely modern Switch sheen to it but still keeps all the core values of the original, classic game.

It plays really well, you almost feel that bat in your hand as the ball does what you want it to, and the intensity of the competition is as real as any squash court. Add in a cool throbbing soundtrack and you’ve got a very nice VR title here for the new headset. And probably our favourite VR multiplayer so far. The only downside is that it is a bit of a one-trick pony and I came away a little headachy at times from, my fault, overplaying.

Overall, a strong RPG packed full of content that’ll last tens of hours. The dialogue is so awful its almost charming, but the visuals more than make up for it and the action frantic and addictive when it really gets going. It may be too overwhelming for some, and the length of the game may put others off. But RPG fans are going to love it and the Switch can now boast of a cracking new title in this genre.

It’s all a bit trippy, intense in gameplay, musically brilliant and highly enjoyable. This is exactly what VR is there for.

It’s cartoon design is full of character and deep down it’s a really involved city builder of a game offering a strong challenge of your creative mind. Well worth giving a go if you’re subscribed to Xbox Game Pass, as it is included in that package and can even be streamed over the cloud, but for £35 on other systems, it is still a great summer title to get your creative juices flowing.

Those who enjoyed Life is Strange will find quite a lot to love in Tell Me Why . It’s strange that this game isn’t a third entry into the series when it very well does feel like one. After several releases with very similar gameplay structure, you’d think there’d be some more improvements in regards to the slowness of picking of objects and cycling through dialogue. However, as you’d come to expect, the characters are great and the overall story is intriguing enough to keep going. Tell Me Why is another interesting and captivating episodic adventure, albeit a familiar one, from one of the studios that does it the best.

It’s addictive, great fun and all about people playing online together. And it feels original, even if many of the individual elements are borrowed from other games. If you have a PS Plus subscription it’s a no brainer to download this free title at some point over the next two months before it becomes paid for. Destruction AllStars is a brilliant new addition to the PS5 roster and will brighten up dull February with some colourful car-smashing fun.

The graphics are gorgeous and the world fully realised, making for a breathtaking title to enjoy.

If you are seeking an interactive, heavy themed, intense movie this is your game. If you’re after a hands-on player, maybe wait until it drops in price. Unless of course you have already got the Game Pass subscription, in which case it’s yours to try now.

WarioWare has absurdity at its heart. And the speed of the game, plus its generous amount of wildly differing micro games, make it a fun title to play over and over with pals. In solo gameplay I suspect the dazzle will wane once you’ve tried all the micro games a couple of times. That’ll take less time than you think as they’re so frenetic and over so quickly. But Nintendo has done another good job here giving players a unique new game that the Switch hasn’t seen before. Well worth a look.

While this type of game has obviously been done better and bigger in the decades since, old school gamers will love stepping back into this world. Modern players may find it interesting but not vital.

The graphics are truly standout and the audio plays a nice role in enhancing the overall feel of the game. An absolute bargain for the price.

If you like bullet shooters, this retro classic is a must buy for this bargain price. But those gamers who want a more sprawling epic would be wise to save their cash for a fresher video game.

It's a great time for returnees from a time in the mid-90's, while for newcomers, the difficulty will be a surprise, but the gameplay and its fantastic art-style will keep you coming back for more, it's just that good.

Overall, you do need to remember that this is a glorified addition to the base game and not a totally fully fledged title of the same size as the original. So it is more limited and fans will burn through it a lot quicker. However as a tech demo for the PS5 it’s immense. And for those that love a fresh, modern take on superhero storytelling, this is a brilliant exclusive game for Sony.

Ultimately, this is a difficult, stressful game, but a fun one if you can pull off some epic stealth takedowns and are happy to quietly chip away at a mission, rather than go in all-guns-blazing.

All in, a cracking remaster of what was originally a troubled game. One that’s finely polished and looks fantastic on PS5. It plays great and really does give returning fans and those seeking out Deacon’s story for the first time a definitive zombie battler to enjoy.

Overall, a great race game that gives us a glimpse of what’s to come with the new consoles. While it’s quite niche in it’s genre-specific focus, there’s a good game in here that will appeal beyond diehard Moto GP fans.

Spyro Reignited Trilogy is the perfect Christmas gift for old school video game lover. Those whose childhood consisted of gliding around collecting coins, and those who perhaps weren’t as lucky.

While it pays great homage to the originals it makes a few tweaks to give the title a more modern style and impressive visual upgrade.

I suspect only those who are really into sticking with practising the skills available, like with a real instrument, will carry on playing this long after the novelty wears off. But if you’re looking for something fun, colourful and different that you can share with pals at home during the dark lockdown weeks ahead, give it a go.

This cracking little title will make you look at boring road building in a completely different way. The popular Apple Arcade indie hit has finally found a new home on Nintendo’s handheld device. And the two are a perfect fit if you’re looking for a game on-the-go that’s simple to play but will keep your hands busy for hours on end.

There is plenty of wild action and adventure to be had in Suicide Squad. And it is certainly worth a look if you like the idea of a decent mix between games like Guardians of the Galaxy, Gotham Knights and Sunset Overdrive.

In a world where developers who design experiences for console and try throw them on the PC, Rockstar Games beautifully takes its time in creating a port that both serves the artistic purposes of the original while allowing players to run free in their best open world to date. Just make sure your PC is up to standard...The real verdict will shine once modders get their hands into the files and begin to create some crazy mods for the game – something which may be a major selling point for this PC version down the line.

The gameplay is sublime and just the right mix of detailed, intricate and skills-based button bashing while always avoiding being overwhelming.

A strong and much-wanted tennis game that helps to fill a gap in the sporting gaming market.

While the premise remains the same throughout, the battles each offer unique enough enemies to ensure your tactics have to change per fight and progress is a must to move on. Well worth a look if you’re into lengthy epic boss battles.

It’s a shame we didn’t have this a year ago in lockdown for some family fun. In that regard it’s missed the sweet spot. But overall you’ll find in Papa’s Quiz a fun little quiz game that does exactly what it says on the tin.

It’s all light hearted fun aimed at connecting people both in local co-op and online.

The boss fights are often pretty straightforward and arguably a bit too easy generally. But they make for a visual spectacle and help to break up the platforming gameplay. And Bowser’s Fury is an odd but interesting side-addition where your Mario moves are curtailed and the big baddie pops up randomly every few minutes to shoot fire at you. It shines bright but is over quickly.

The multiplayer element adds replayability, as does the mini-games section, and there are enough collectibles and hidden sections to want you coming back for more.

Overall, this is a full-to-bursting title, even bigger than the huge PS4 original. It looks astounding, sounds great and that immersive feedback in the controller brings this odd sci-fi world to life like never before. If you played the original and feel ‘done’ with it, there may not be enough big tweaks to bring you back for another go. But the upgrade price point is good and it’ll definitely appeal to those gamers who missed out on playing the original and now fancy jumping in on PS5.

This is an ideal way back into the franchise if you’ve lapsed from it recently. And a much-needed step backwards to, ultimately, take a step forwards.

It’s not perfect, it feels like the start of a new genre rather than the definitive conquering of one. In time I can imagine garden based versions, bigger and bigger tracks with loops, jumps and hills, and a raft of copycat games.

I love that they added an interweaving sub-plot to the already interesting career of trying to win a championship. The rivalries are also done really well, where you are told to stay away from your rivals otherwise they may attempt to sabotage you on the track. It’s all quite fun.

If you['re] bored by cricket you’ll likely be bored with this game too. However for the fans, there is now a really good cricket game to enjoy, one that’s packed with gameplay, customisation, and a real love for the real game.

It’s lots of fun, particularly with pals by your side, and offers plenty of tracks and modes to keep gamers coming back for more.

Luigi’s Mansion 3 acts as an excellent addition both to the series itself and the ever-growing roster of excellent games on the Switch. It’s atmospheric, and will provide fun all the family can enjoy over the course of its relatively short story.

But generally Prince of Persia plays simply and well, like an old school arcade button basher.

Afterparty runs a little short, with the narrative concluding around the five-hour mark. It would have been nice if some of the islands offered a little more content, especially as some are much more important to the story than others.

A fun Lego-like exploration title with a hint of Minecraft and maybe World Of Tanks mixed in there too. There's something for everyone of all ages.

If you’re willing to loose yourself in Cyberpunk for the long term you’ll definitely get your money’s worth out of a strong role-player that’s flowing with action missions.

The Sinking City has an incredible atmosphere that really grips the darkest parts of your mind. Oakmont feels hostile, unwelcoming and full of secrets, but the game makes it clear that it might cost more than just your life to find out what they are. While it stumbles with its characters and combat, The Sinking City is a great first step into the supernatural detective game.

God Eater 3 is an excellent Switch Port of a great action-RPG and is stuffed to the Aragami gills with content. It's the perfect "pick up and play" game for your commute while offering enough depth to play for hours of an evening in order to earn that next upgrade. Happy hunting, AGEs.

It established the third person run-and-gun gameplay you’ll recognise in many a game nowadays and totally reinvented the series. Subtle tweaks have been made to boss fights and streamline the pacing in this revamp. It makes this a must-buy for Resident Evil fans. And well worth a look for those seeking an incredibly challenging, stressful horror game where you never feel like you’ve got enough ammo to survive.

By pulling on the strings of many a modern classic they’ve been able to deliver a fun, tough, playable title that’s addictive and enjoyable. But it can be improved on in both image style and gameplay if there is a sequel.

For the Switch, it is a lovely change of pace from your usual Marios or free-to-plays like Fortnite. Well worth a digital download.

Obsidian’s The Outer Worlds feels like a modern-age Fallout title, for better and for worse Although it’s grown out of much of the buggy, janky feeling that its predecessors were known for, it isn’t nearly as expansive as the classics you might remember. It seems that stepping out of Bethesda’s spotlight has raised the production value but limited the game’s depth of content. Still, with quality writing and stellar gameplay, everyone should visit Halcyon’s shores when they get a chance.

The gameplay is so simple and effective that you can drop in for short bursts without having to worry about long load times or system updates like you do on bigger console games. Well worth a look if you like to test your mental mettle.

It’s beautifully told and has a lovely medium pacing to it, rarely too frantic and mostly set just right to give you thinking time about the big themes at play. For £15 this is well worth a look if you’re keen on an emotional rollercoaster, rather than an all-out blockbuster action by-the-second one.

All in, a wonderful title that brings back a lot of memories for those of us who have been gaming for a while, while creating a whole new ‘this is cool’ feel for newcomers. Either way, it brings friends and family together and will spark as many laughs in your living room as frustrated yelps when you’re beaten into submission by a five-year-old.

Everybody’s Golf VR is an excellent first outing for the series if a little on the thin side in terms of content. Thankfully, what’s there is fun and rewarding, and well worth a look for fans of the series or the sport.

Lonely Mountains is far from lonely, it rekindles a feeling of childhood. Of meeting with friends and exploring the woods, daring each other to take jumps or freewheel through water. It’s a game about being alone, by being at one with nature and the bike beneath you.

Lego Horizon Adventures is a lovely looking title that will be instantly familiar to Lego game fans while different enough to offer a new challenge to Horizon fans.

There are some lovely 2D side-scrolling moments too, which helps to break up the gameplay. You can even replay your faves in a new option.

Long-time Witcher fans will have a blast reliving their adventures on the go, while those who have yet to step into the hunting boots, luscious locks and scruffed beard of Geralt of Rivia, have the perfect opportunity to get stuck in.

Overall, for those new to the Wonder game this is a brilliant package, full of gaming content for both the solo player and groups of friends and family. If you’ve already got the original, I’m not sure it justifies another look, especially if you already own other Mario mini game titles like the excellent Mario Party series.

Final Fantasy VII Remake suffers from stop-start pacing, elements of archaic game design and some cheesy over-the-top filler material. But when it’s firing on all cylinders, Remake shows off the best of what Final Fantasy can offer in 2020: addictive combat, a compelling cast of misfit protagonists, and a living, breathing fantasy world. If you can break through the more sluggish and unenjoyable moments of the game, you’ll find an absolute gem of an action-RPG shining at the core, a promise of what Square Enix can do with role-playing games in this generation and generations to come.

Overall, one of the most fun golf games I’ve ever played. The side games really make this title shine, not the basic traditional golf you’d expect in this package. Battle Golf is really the star element here and shows how you can turn what is, for some, a rather dull sport and give it a real video game excitement that’ll appeal to all.

Ultimately, Code Vein is a somewhat campy, but fun, breath of fresh air in a genre that has felt a little stale outside of games like Sekiro. The companions are fun, if a little one-note at times, and the combat is brutal, but exhilarating. If you like what you’ve seen so far of Code Vein, there’s no reason not to try it out.

Microsoft Flight Simulator is a massive generational leap from its predecessor, and every time I play the game I’m blown away by just how good it looks. From a completely simulated physics system with wind, weather and more, to highly detailed aircraft and airports, it’s truly something worth checking out. Even if you’ve never played a Flight Sim before, you have to pick up this game. Flight Simulator is a revolutionary game for all kinds of reasons, and once the technical issues are out of the way – I truly believe it will be a legendary PC game. Give it a few months, I’ll bump it up to a 5/5.

Despite a few issues with a lack of upgrades in some areas, Saint’s Row The Third Remastered is a great way to dip your shoes back into the franchise and remember why Saint’s Row 3 helped the series find an identity, allowing it to go on to do bigger and better things in Saint’s Row IV.

Overall, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a much-needed bold and beautiful shooter game for the new Switch console. It’s familiar to players of the past titles in the series while also more modern thanks to the extra power under the hood of our fancy new machine. While there are better FPS titles out there on other consoles, this is among the best on any iteration of the Switch.

This was clearly a labour of love. The team creating the Elder Scrolls Online sure love the world of Tamriel, and it shows when they’re able to create a great chapter that stands on its own merit; even when it’s standing on the foundations of the fifth game in the series. Greymoor has a short but exhilarating story that left me ready for what’s to come in the future. Western Skyrim is gorgeous and a joy to explore. It gothic setting is a refreshing change in ESO, and if what’s to come is as good as this, I’ll happily find myself coming back to enjoy what’s on offer.

While it doesn’t quite meet the lofty standards of those early-2000’s entries, it’s definitely the best Need for Speed we’ve seen in quite some time.