The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is a truly generational game. It improves on all aspects of its predecessor, Breath of the Wild. The narrative balances various tones and progresses the character arcs of its major protagonists, while introducing new and compelling NPCs. Further, the gameplay only enhances one of gaming's greatest sandboxes with a new fantastic line of abilities, activities, dungeons, and boss fights. Everything about Tears of the Kingdom is perfect, and as far as I'm concerned, it's one of the best games I've ever played in my entire life.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a dream come true on PC, offering gorgeous visuals, vastly improved frame rates, and more. Square Enix has put together its best PC port yet, despite some room to grow in the future with areas like Ultrawide support. Simply put, this is one of the best RPGs ever created, and it's an instant must-own title for any RPG fan on PC.

Ninja Gaiden 4 is a triumphant return for the series, with Team Ninja and PlatinumGames uniting to deliver the most intense and fluid combat the franchise has ever seen. Its dual-protagonist story between Yakumo and Ryu is beautifully told, with jaw-dropping dynamic gameplay sequences for both characters. A stellar score ties it all together, making Ninja Gaiden 4 one of 2025's best games and firmly cementing the franchise's grand return in the modern era.

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is an unforgettable adventure that I firmly believe sits as one of the greatest games ever created. With an emotional and thrilling narrative, a technically brilliant gameplay system that builds upon its predecessor, and a best-in-class soundtrack, Death Stranding 2 advances the industry forward and innovates. Hideo Kojima and the Kojima Productions team have created something truly remarkable that will be talked about for decades to come.

Team Cherry not only delivers on its much-anticipated follow-up to Hollow Knight but exceeds all expectations by constructing one of the most complete and coherent video games I've played in years. Hollow Knight: Silksong is an absolute triumph.

Bad End Theater is a uniquely dark and clever visual novel where every decision changes the outcome. With over 40 tragic endings and a cast of layered characters, it rewards curiosity and challenges your assumptions.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is an absolute joy to play on Nintendo Switch 2. This fantastic RPG is filled with memorable characters, a fantastic narrative, and an engaging combat system that's almost impossible to put down. The game runs great and looks excellent, with performance consistent at 30 FPS. While some visuals can appear grainy due to heavy DLSS usage, it's a small trade-off for having this wonderful game on the go.

Umamusume: Pretty Derby has finally launched in the West to strong fan acclaim. While it remains a gacha game at its core, the content speaks for itself, and you do not need to rely on the gacha systems to enjoy it. With its engaging gameplay, heartfelt storytelling, and charming cast of characters, it’s a game that can easily keep you hooked for hours on end.

Street Fighter 6 is an absolute delight on Nintendo Switch 2, acting as a wonderful launch title that has an almost infinite amount of fun to offer. With near-flawless performance despite some frame rate shortcomings in World Tour, this is an easy recommendation to any Switch 2 owner, fighting game fan or not.

Split Fiction is one of the best games of 2025, and it's a joy to play on Nintendo Switch 2. While there are some compromises with the frame rate and resolution, this is still the same great experience found on PC and consoles. If you're looking for a new and unforgettable co-op experience, look no further.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake masterfully modernizes two timeless RPGs with the gorgeous HD-2D art style. Significant story changes, wonderful quality-of-life improvements, and flawless performance on Nintendo Switch 2 make this a must-play game for any fan of the genre. Without a doubt, this is the definitive way to experience the Erdrick Trilogy for both newcomers and longtime fans alike.

Cyberpunk 2077 for Nintendo Switch 2 is arguably the definitive way to play this incredible game. Despite some issues with the controls and textures looking odd at a distance, I was very impressed with how CD Projekt Red managed to fit this massive title into a 64 GB game cartridge with very few compromises and visuals that sometimes look as impressive as the PlayStation 5 version. If you have a Switch 2 and have been looking to play Cyberpunk 2077, you now have the best possible way to do so.

Octopath Traveler 0 delivers the series’ most cohesive story yet, backed by its sharpest combat system and a surprisingly addictive town-building feature. By blending a focused narrative with a large, memorable cast and wrapping it all in gorgeous HD-2D visuals, it stands as both the strongest entry in the franchise and one of the best JRPGs in years.

Static Dread: The Lighthouse might wear its influences on its sleeve, but it delivers a unique horror experience that is worth checking out if you like ethical dilemmas and Cthulhu mythology. This very well may be the next hit indie horror game.

Digimon Story Time Stranger is the boldest entry in the franchise to date, delivering a thrilling narrative, stunning environments, and over 450 Digimon to collect. Its deep combat system, expansive quality-of-life improvements, and superb English voice acting elevate it alongside the best RPGs of the year. Minor issues aside, this is the definitive Digimon experience fans have been waiting for.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is one of the best kart racers on the market, and I’m sure I’ll be coming back to it often. It may not be a new Sonic Riders sequel, but it’s the next best thing. For those who are looking for a quality game to share with family and friends, I can’t recommend CrossWorlds enough.

The $70 price tag (or $39.99 price individually) may be a deterrent to some, but it’s hard to argue the sheer brilliance this platformer duology still provides today. Adding this package to my collection was an unequivocal decision. Regardless of whether you’re a newcomer hoping to dive in for the first time or a veteran coming back for a playthrough before The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, I cannot recommend these two games enough. Even in 2025, these almost two-decade-old classics remain every bit as captivating as they were in 2007 and 2010.

If you’re someone like me who wishes to re-experience these really great titles from Hudson Soft, then I certainly recommend you give Super Bomberman Collection a try. And hey, maybe if this sells well, then Konami might consider finally bringing more of these older titles, either as another collection or as titles to Nintendo Switch Online.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is everything I hoped and dreamed it would be. It's the perfect introduction to Trails, with an outstanding cast, engaging gameplay, and a world impossible not to get invested in. The slow-burning narrative, while very enjoyable, can lead to monotonous sections of the game, but this is just a minor gripe considering the massive adventure at hand. New and old fans alike will fall in love with what is assuredly one of the best RPGs of the year.

With a simple yet effective progression system, a power fantasy combat loop, and passionate attention to detail, Mouse P.I. For Hire is easily one of the best titles of 2026. It reminds me of just how much joy a single-player first-person shooter can bring when it fires on all cylinders.

After 26 years, Fatal Fury is finally back—and City of the Wolves hits! It makes a bold return with deep story content, solid offline/online modes, and ambitious mechanics. While I'm not a fan of how SNK implemented the Smart Style control scheme, and the online experience has some issues, this is undoubtedly SNK’s strongest modern fighter yet!

Xenoblade Chronicles X is bigger and better than ever on Nintendo Switch. The numerous quality-of-life upgrades and additions make the experience even more satisfying, and there simply is nothing like roaming the world of Mira inside your Skell. Jump in, get in that robot, pump up that music, and have a heck of a time doing it.

Blue Prince is a game that you can easily get yourself engrossed with. What appeared to be a simple game turned out to be one full of surprises around the corner, making it a must-play game for puzzle and roguelike fans alike.

Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles is a heartfelt and commendable effort that brings forth one of Square Enix's most beloved games to modern platforms. Special attention to recreating the original experience has paid off, with fantastic quality-of-life features added alongside a refreshing UI. While I wish an orchestrated soundtrack were included in this release, this is easily the best way to experience Final Fantasy Tactics.

In an industry filled with games that look to grab every dollar possible from you or ones littered with bugs, Hazelight shines bright as a studio focused on the only thing that matters — having fun. Split Fiction is a must-play game of 2025 for that reason alone.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is the definitive way to experience one of the best games in a series known for its excellence. Some technical issues can mar the overall package, but there is no denying how much work has gone into this remake.

Sorry We’re Closed is a game that I will think about for a long time. It’s an experience I can’t recommend enough, whether you’re a hardcore fan of the horror genre or a passive admirer. Regardless of your interest in the genre, you will take away something vital from your time spent with this game. As for me, I cannot wait to replay Sorry We’re Closed one more time to see more of what the game has to say about the concept of love.

Lost Records: Bloom is a wonderful time that explores the past and present while presenting an intriguing mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat. Don't Nod somehow managed to capture the energy of the first two Life is Strange titles while giving something new and heartfelt.