If you like Tekken, Tekken Tag Tournament 2 has almost everything you could ask from the series.

As roguelikes go, Galak-Z's tireless air of optimism makes a case for its own dimension.

This is a polished and proven fighter that still has a lot left in the tank.

Dragonborn is a solid welcome back party for Skyrim's PlayStation 3 audience. For a system that once struggled to run the game competently, Dragonborn is practically a technical showpiece. The only hitch is that it requires sustained interest Skyrim, a desire that may be tough muster for those who ended their terms with the game amicably. If you're not in that crowd, or maybe you took an elongated break, it’s hard to think of a better invitation to dive back in.

If you enjoyed the remix of Pac-Man and the re-release of all the Capcom Arcade games out there, then you’re going to love what IREM and Tozai Games did with R-Type Dimensions. Sure it’s going to be tough as freaking nails, but that’s how arcade games were during the arcade era — and you’re going to love every moment of it.

When a game rewards players for having fun and being creative, there’s little to be unhappy about. Hitman 2 offers that in spades and promises further additions and events down the line. And even after all those targets have been pushed off this mortal coil, I dare you to dive back in and complete every challenge the game has, you won’t be bored.

The SNK 40th Anniversary Collection had some classics in it, as well as some games that I have never seen before in my life. The addition of the extra content was brilliant, and makes the collection worth your time. If you’re an SNK fan, or you just like old games, then add this to the list.

Ori Mees did a superb job with Blake: The Visual Novel. The story is compelling, the choices feel real, and the consequences will have you trying the game again once it’s done.

Crow Country is the perfect kind of nostalgic trip, one that doesn’t bait players along in hopes of being more of the same thing they remembered. The best games of its type work to wedge themselves into the library of classics they were inspired by. Crow Country looks, sounds, and plays similar to old 32- and 64-bit games because it is, not because it wants to be.

Laika: Aged Through Blood from developer Brainwash Gang is a wonderful and refreshing Nintendo Switch experience. It lends a brutal narrative that leads gameplay filled with strategy and challenges. While not everyone will take to the controls, which are an important part of the experience, the challenges and strategy will keep the frustration at bay.

Adventure of Samsara from developer llex Games and publisher Atari is a tough Metroidvania that slowly turns into one of the most unexpected and enjoyable experiences of 2025.

Death Stranding reinvents how video game design can work. It takes you through an experience you didn’t expect, doesn’t hold back with its design intentions and execution, and takes the gamer through a journey like no other. This is a masterpiece that only Kojima could pull off.

In either case Okamiden is a great game, and surely one of the last must-own titles on a legendary system.

Fallout: New Vegas is a solid game from beginning to end.

Its impact can not be understated. With that said, the lack of tweaking and adaption with the controls made the 2016 experience on the PlayStation 4 a bit tough to love. It’s not a deal breaker, but it’s tough to recapture RE4’s magic when you’re fighting with the controls. In the end, a classic is still a classic, despite its flaws in this generation.

It’s fun and I feel like I get something out of playing every time. I also love the presentation; technically it’s an impressive feast for the eyes in 4K HDR. Framerates are silk; animations are great, maybe a bit too cartoonish on the blood at times, but to be sure it’s a great looking game. The audio package is excellent.

Although I don't keep up with either of the leading soccer games, PES 2013 seems competent and capable of challenging FIFA 13 for a spot in your collection.

SteamWorld Build is an enjoyable city management game that is perfect for newcomers to the genre. Its friendly approach makes its building simulation and mining complex but not overbearing. A thin narrative and limited post-game can hamper long-term engagement but the SteamWorld license proves malleable enough that satisfaction can be found for nearly anyone.

Spyro: Reignited Trilogy is a wonderful recreation of three of my favorite games from my childhood. I’m so happy that I got to experience the games again in a new way, and it really excites me knowing a new generation will get to experience it as well. Is it the last time we’ll get to see Spyro and his buddy Sparx outside of the Skylanders franchise? I certainly hope not. And if this much love has gone into this remake, it would be a shame if it was.

Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo is a more complicated version of Phoenix Wright. It contains some tricky puzzles to overcome while being driven by a thick amount of Japanese folklore, as well as a touch of horror. It can be frustrating, if not overwhelming at times, but its take on the Phoenix Wright gameplay logic puzzle structure makes for a fun and unique experience.

The Rogue Prince of Persia’s fluid traversal, gorgeous art style, and satisfying combat make it a promising roguelike platformer. What it lacks in endgame content and variety it makes up for in a game that has now set the gold standard for what traversal should be for all platformers going forward. With its physical release and imminent free content updates, now might be the best time to try Evil Empire’s take on a Prince of Persia title.

The original Dirt Rally sits above its sequel as to go-to rally game for console gamers however, if you do decide to pick up Dirt Rally 2.0 you’ll still have one heck of a time.

Despite the free-to-play model, there is a lot of fun to be had with Call of Champions without laying down a dime. It does give enough reason to break the piggy bank, but doesn’t require you to do so to enjoy it.

The dated graphics (especially some of the cutscenes) and sometimes irritating camera don’t hold back the otherwise excellent game that DMC3SE is. What’s more, the Switch version’s inclusion of Freestyle Mode (which can be disabled if you so prefer) and co-op Bloody Palace make it a must-have as far as I’m concerned, for franchise fans and newcomers alike. Additionally, built-in achievements, small storage size (around 5GB), and super fast load times make this much more than just a port — it’s an impressive “ultimate” edition, if you will. Bravo, Capcom.

Flaws and shortcomings in Control are utterly few and far between, while the gameplay is highly satisfying and fun. The world Remedy created is full of intrigue from the get-go and stays enthralling throughout. Barring any major surprises, Control is my personal game of the year for 2019.

Little Nightmares 2 is a testament to horror in games. Tarsier Studios envelops the player in a sense of dread through impeccable sound design that often hints at something terrifying several screens away. It is a perfect, digestible length that often allows somewhat frustrating controls and combat to be passed over relatively quickly. But nothing can compare to this world and the ominous, open-ended story that punches you in the gut several times. Often Little Nightmares 2 is an emotional typhoon that swirls players up with accomplishment only to have them come crashing down in fear of what lies beyond a darkened doorway. And it’s in that vast chasm of the unknown where Little Nightmares 2 creeps, along with the best horror games of its ilk.

As a whole, the entire package of Dishonored – Death of the Outsider is solid. You’re basically getting all the bells and whistles you would find in previous games in the series with more freedom and less restrictions to go take every living thing in your path out without prejudice. It’s one helluva last, if it is that, adventure to the series that is basically saying, Go have some fun, before waving goodbye on its lavish retirement plan. There’s certainly not a lot to dislike about this release, as it pretty much has everything you want. I guess the only knock I could find about the gameplay is that it is drawn back just a bit in comparison to Dishonored 2. I honestly wouldn’t expect it to be on the same level and scope as the second game in the series, but that’s the only knock I could give this game.

Every old school franchise should be so lucky to get such a great sequel that obviously had a lot of thought and care put in by the teams involved. Clearly, if you enjoy Streets of Rage or the side scrolling brawler, especially when playing with up to three other people, Streets of Rage 4 should be on your list of titles to get.