It made me want to break my Switch in half. But even in its most aggressively exasperating moments, Katana Zero remains bleak, beautiful, bloody, and brilliant.

Even though Mortal Kombat 1 is no Flawless Victory, it still feels like a step forward for the franchise. The core gameplay is the best it’s ever been, which I think is the most important thing for the genre. It’s a great entry point for newcomers to fighting games and even fellow casual players like myself looking to delve a little deeper than usual. The Story Mode is peak cinematic Mortal Kombat which alone is a worthwhile adventure for those interested. Despite a lackluster lineup of modes with an unnecessary grind for cosmetics, Mortal Kombat 1 is still fun to play. Ultimately, it’s a brilliant reboot, and I’m on board for wherever the universe takes us next.

Black is a little different from the Killer Queen I was used to. But it's still Killer Queen, and that makes it one of the best multiplayer games around.

The Plucky Squire manages to expertly craft an adorably interesting story full of lovable characters, enjoyable narration, and near-perfect parallels between its 2D and 3D worlds. While some parts need just a bit more polish, it exceeded my already high expectations and gave me nearly a dozen hours of laughs, fun, and mental exercise. Plus, well, seeing its cast of cute little characters suddenly turn into buff badasses is a great bonus.

At times it can get a touch repetitive, and there are a handful of exasperating moments, but this is nonetheless an arresting game that offers more (and offers it well) than the average XBLA title Yes, it's full of anthropomorphic rabbits and foxes, but if that stops you from playing, that'll be your loss.

While I do wish that there was a bit more of it, what’s here is phenomenal.

Midnight Suns isn't what I expected, in a good way.

It’s hard to remember the last time an RTS game gave me both the challenge of careful planning and the thrill of execution at the same time. Those only interested in a single-player affair might come away a little disappointed, but the package itself is very well-rounded and breathes some much-needed life into the genre.

If you were thinking that this was going to be an Activision cash grab, think again. So much heart and soul is consistently poured into the Skylanders franchise time and time again, and Swap Force is no exception. In fact, it's the best one yet.

Similar to Katamari Damacy, WarioWare, and other inane Japanese creations, the heart of these games are really in their core, catchy repeatable gameplay.

MIO: Memories in Orbit is a gorgeous, exploration-driven platformer that thrives on your curiosity. What starts as a dark, confusing journey slowly unfurls into a vibrant world packed with secrets, hidden bosses, and environmental storytelling that rewards thorough exploration. While combat mechanics remain simple, fluid movement, challenging boss fights, and a richly atmospheric ship make uncovering the Vessel’s mysteries consistently satisfying—for players willing to get lost along the way.

Given its strict adherence to an ’80s gaming mentality, Team Berzerk’s tough, visceral platform adventure might not be for everyone. But, for those who crave sadomasochistic challenges, doomsday storytelling, and absolute lashings of the red stuff, Infernax offers up a cathartic dose of 8-bit heathenism. Just run through a few FromSoft titles beforehand… You’ll need to warm up, after all.

With all of the "just made it" moments scattered throughout the game, Ms. Splosion Man is an easy candidate for "Most Toes Curled" and "Most Butt Cheeks Clenched" awards in 2011.

It may lack some of the community niceties, beloved maps (Assault, anyone?), and little features of past games, but Global Offensive delivers on the promise of a faithful, polished, and better looking Counter-Strike for whoever wants it. Even if the community doesn't meet the golden standard of 1.6 and Source, CS:GO will remain a multiplayer classic for those willing to put in the time to learn the maps and weapons.

Despite my complaints with the game, it’s still a hugely enjoyable time.

Strong Bad Ep.5 is also the least linear of all the games in the series.

Considering that it has almost the entire first game housed within it with expanded modes, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call is a no-brainer for people who never bit the first time around, as well as returning players who are looking to play some extra songs.

It's an incredibly crafted platformer with an HD sheen and an insane attention to detail, and any fan of the genre owes it to themselves to experience it. With the addition of control options to the already proven formula, Retro Studios' rendition of Donkey Kong is pretty much flawless.

A new story, battle improvements, new troops, and a ton of missions are exactly what Valkyria Chronicles fans were asking for.

Just like the original game, Grubbins on Ice is charming, harmless, and a perfect little downloadable package.

The turn-based stealth gameplay is empowering, but fraught and fleeting each time you dive deeper into one of the world's least architecturally sensible corporate buildings, rooms budding off rooms, some empty, some dangerous, all necessary.

Still, the pros far outweigh the cons in this game. Making your own WarioWare game is even more fun than it looks. It's especially cool to download the game's multitudes of free DLC microgames.

Whether the campaign or multiplayer, Gears of War undoubtedly succeeds in constantly entertaining. The Ultimate Edition takes that to a new level through optimized gameplay, smoother controls, and updated visuals. Most importantly, it makes this classic relevant again.

Death Howl elegantly blends deckbuilding with soulslike elements all while telling an emotional tale of a mother’s guilt and her desperate attempt to save her son. This title, though not for the faint of heart, is an absolutely gorgeous experience with rewarding exploration, slow-drip storytelling, and punishing gameplay. If you're a fan of either deckbuilders or soulslikes, this game is a must-buy.

Yoku's Island Express is a delight, plain and simple. It's gorgeous, plays beautifully, and I hope it's the start of a new franchise, because I want to play a lot more of this.

Command & Conquer Remastered Collection is a masterclass in how to re-energise a classic title. There's no denying that the 25-year-old gameplay doesn't quite hold up to its modern contemporaries, but with over 100 missions, progressive options, revamped multiplayer, and full mod support, C&C Remastered is both a solid package and a proud testament to Westwood Studios' genre-defining work. Now, about Red Alert 2...

Whilst there are undoubtedly flaws, sometimes in the game's mechanics or structure, the strong writing, elegant design, quality voice acting and beautiful visuals should keep you compelled to carry on.

Not a system seller, but it’s a game worthy of buying if you own a Vita and easily one of the best RPGs of the year.