Gunhouse is truly something else. It’s an unorthodox genre crossover with an equally unconventional puzzle mechanic. It takes a while to learn, but the payoff is worth it. It’s unfortunate that the game is fairly expensive on the Nintendo Switch compared to its much more competitively priced mobile version. Nonetheless, those looking for a different puzzle experience may feel welcome in the Gunhouse.

While the allies mechanic isn’t technically new, this iteration borrows the best elements from some of the best Kirby games that came before it, forming an experience that remains entertaining throughout its short campaign. The only downside is that it costs as much as other Switch games that offer much more content. Nevertheless, Kirby Star Allies is a charming romp that is bound to make even the angriest puffballs smile.

By most metrics — polish, graphics, writing, acting and engaging game play mechanics — Gears 5 is an impressive product for both solo players and competitive or cooperative shooter fans. But moving forward, the series desperately needs to venture into new ways of telling its stories and pacing its encounters. The tentative toe-dip into open world design is a great start, but not enough. Gears 5’s campaign is robust and almost always fun and its focus on the female protagonist Kait is a welcome tonal and dramatic shift, though it doesn’t much impact the gameplay. I’m always ready to dive into a new Gears game but I’m hoping next time, The Coalition will take some bold chances, make some tough choices and steer the series in a really new direction.

The game now has a total of 50 songs, plenty of different modes to choose from in the same old DDR Style. Any fan of the series couldn't go wrong with this one.

Mom Hid my Game! is short, sweet, and delightful - a fun game to enjoy on little breaks between other games. It's quick to fire up and get into, and the puzzles are pretty fun, if not the most challenging things in the world. Even your failures are quick to bounce back from. It loses out a bit by repeating some of its challenges and at times not being sensible, but it's otherwise a fun and unusual puzzle game you owe it to yourself to try.

This is a game where the grind itself is the context for enjoyment, and while that’s not a bad thing, when that grind runs its course, there’s going to be nothing left to hang your hat on. Thankfully though, the foundation is just that good, and I don’t regret the hours I have poured into The Division 2. If only other loot shooters, released earlier in the year, had learned and applied the lessons Ubisoft did.

Kuju's strategy title steps up to fill the void left by Zelda, thrilling GameCube owners with a truly superb RTS - the way it's meant to be played.

I must say that I went with my gut instinct and although Day of Reckoning 2 is a solid game I just felt like there was something that was needed in this game, maybe a better story mode that would take this game to the top.

When all is said and done, Age of Wonders III: Eternal Lords is an easy expansion pack to recommend. It applies a new coat of paint to the series that is good for another 30+ hours of addictive turn-based gameplay. If you wore out the core game and the first expansion pack, then Eternal Lords is good enough to entice you to dust them off again.

Nintendo fans can now sing and dance to their heart's content, as Konami brings their solid music title to the Cube, with a nice song selection thrown in.

The time spent in Hyperion alone makes this entry worth playing. The characters are better (depending on your dialog choices, of course), the jokes are funny, and it features the longest and most epic fake gunfight in the history of video games.

I enjoyed my time with Ragnarok Odyssey and thought it to be a great fit for the Vita. The "pick up and play" nature of the contract system makes it the perfect game to play while sitting on a train, plane or bus. Those who have already tackled Monster Hunter for the PSP and are looking for more would do well to give this one a gander.

As it stands, Mortal Kombat 11 is violent and extremely brutal but at the same time insidiously sexy and suave. Its more grown-up take on matters enhances its cast’s appeal and that’s all the personal preference I need to keep up with often unfair gameplay.

Ys: Memories of Celceta is one of the best games available for the Vita and a fine action RPG in its own right. Past some dated visuals and a sparse story are enticing battles and exciting exploration that can suck you in with a ruthless efficiency. If these kinds of character progression treadmills are your thing, don’t let it pass you by.

Although it would benefit from being either a bit shorter and/or having a bit more variety, Void Bastards is easy to recommend. It looks unique and has enough fun baked in that failure rarely feels frustrating or punishing. Fans of action games as diverse as Bioshock or FTL will enjoy it and anyone who chuckles at games like The Stanley Parable will feel at home with Void Bastards’ sense of absurd humor.

However everything seems to have been improved for this year’s game, and to me if your looking for a fun light hearted football experience you really cannot beat picking up Blitz: The League II.

The worst thing I can say about Rhythm Heaven Fever is that it doesn't seem like it utilizes the Wii all that well. It looks sharp, but not in a way that it couldn't have on a portable. The motion isn't used, the IR is optional, and it only uses 2 buttons. That's not to say that the game is bad because of it- it just doesn't seem like a good fit for a home console, especially one as unique as the Wii.

Although I would have liked to have seen a longer experience, if your in the market for new and unique experience look no further then Flower.

The cult movie gets yet another video game treatment, this time on the PSP. It's yet another solid outing for Rockstar, with plenty of brawling and side missions to do.

After years of suffering from mediocrity, the MK franchise shines in this latest actioner, offering an engaging story and rock-solid combat, MK-style.

The Coma 2: Vicious Sisters mixes up the Lovecraftian horror with the Asian concept of netherworld to present its ghastly apparitions and locales, overgrown in tentacles and disfigured flesh. Still, the game is wise enough not to rely on jump scares even though there are some unexpected sights to behold. Like the best Asian horror, it slowly creeps under your skin and when played late in the night, you know what you will be dreaming of. Most of all, the game shows how an effective gaming experience can be made in a simple, economic way.

No matter how good the game is — and make no mistake, it’s great — it’s hard not to scoff at the price. Yes, if you’re a fan of Burnout Paradise or open-world racers, this remaster is worth a look. But unless you’re craving a handheld experience, it might be wise to grab it elsewhere — or wait for a price drop.

Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken is a game that has a lot going for it. Engaging game play, tight controls, and a kicking sound track make for a great experience. Lack of narrative pulls it down, but not enough to diminish the time spent with it. For a $9.99 price point, I would gladly recommend HBC and his gun-toting craziness to a gamer looking for some cheap, yet well produced dumb fun.

Behind the long load times of ModNation racer is a very visually pleasing and enjoyable kart racing experience that manages to build off of previous kart racing franchises and adding on a huge element of customization that has never been seen in a kart racer before.

Though it is basic, Korix is a great game to play in VR because it’s real time strategy games couldn't be a more perfect use of the medium. At $20, the game offers a fair amount of content spread between an offline campaign and skirmish mode. There’s also multiplayer, where up to four players can play against or with each other against human and AI players. Sadly, no one was playing so I didn’t get a chance to try it out. That’s probably for the best though. I can’t fathom going against a human player--I’d be ripped to shreds! Korix is a great entry level RTS that uses the technology of the PlayStation VR in a spectacularly immersive fashion.

The fourth incarnation of Tecmo's supreme fighter is another hit on the 360, showcasing jaw-dropping visuals and its trademark solid gameplay.

Darkstalkers Resurrection is a great collection of some classic games. I really liked playing Darkstalkers 3, and the unusual round system and art style made the game seem like more than just another solid fighting game. Iron Galaxy did a great job updating the game in terms of visuals, tutorials, and online play. Night Warriors is by far the weaker of the two games, but Darkstalkers 3 is worth the price of admission. It’s not the best fighting game ever made, but it’s a lot of fun and the price point is right.

This isn't a huge leap forward, it is more of a gracious step forward that offers enough to keep the game at status quo. This game doesn't reinvent the wheel, it just improves the wheel to last longer and perform better.