Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is an excellent callback to the Turtles beat-’em-ups of old. The game is an easy purchase – if you can handle the chaos happening on screen.

A top-down Crazy Taxi clone is the stuff nostalgia is made for, doubly so if it references one of Keanu Reeves’ finest moments. However, Deliver or Die! misses the mark in almost every way imaginable, exploding in a fiery blaze that even Michael Bay would be proud of.

While there are some notable omissions and questionable additions in this collection, PAC-MAN MUSEUM+ is just the thing for those looking for a trip down memory lane.

Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Mega Mix+ is all killer and no filler, offering up the finest Vocaloid action to date. Rhythm game fans, arcade junkies, and music lovers, rejoice; this is your game.

New Meaning tries to feature a deep message about mental illness, but absolutely fails the landing. With everybody reduced to a brief stereotype, it’s hard to care about anything that happens in this visual novel.

Sniper Elite 5 knows what it is excellent at and sticks with it. If you like gory headshots and taking out Nazis, this game is a good time.

For a game that’s supposed to be chill, the camera in Seaside Driving will do everything in its power to infuriate you. This lazy drive is anything but, and will make you take a quick U-Turn back to Outrun.

Vampire: The Masquerade - Swansong tells an incredible story, one the player can truly influence, but it falls short in many of the efforts to translate the World of Darkness into video game form. A must-play for fans of the universe, but fans of the narrative-driven RPG may find more frustration than enjoyment.

Salt and Sacrifice has a lot going for it, but some bad design choices hold it back. I'd recommend watching some gameplay footage - especially of its bosses - before buying.

Andro Dunos II carries on the old-school Neo-Geo classic; almost to a fault. Its varied weaponry keeps things fresh, but there are far too many cheap shots for our liking.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising is a grind fest that only a select few will enjoy. Those that overlook that will enjoy its well-written characters; for everybody else it's an easy pass.

For those who live and breathe arcade racers, making a perfect run in Rush Rally Origins is an absolute thrill. For those who don’t mind a fair amount of repetition and a steep price tag, this is your next addiction.

People looking for a short and intense samurai game should check out Trek to Yomi. It's quick, fun, and makes you truly feel like a samurai.

King Arthur: Knight’s Tale boasts a deep and engaging combat system that is as rewarding as it is ruthless. A worthwhile adventure into Arthurian Legend, it’s a fantastic entry into the tactical RPG space that unfortunately begins to suffer with technical issues as the story unfolds. As many of the cutscenes tell you, it’s a work in progress.

The team at M2 has an incredible eye for detail when creating G-Darius HD. Not only does it respect the already solid source material, it encourages shmup fans to pour over every last detail. G-Darius HD isn’t just a re-release; it is a love letter.

Taiko no Tatsujin: The Drum Master! Hits all the right notes in its jump to the PC. With a healthy amount of songs and a system that’s every bit as challenging as you want it to be, Don-chan and Ka-chan’s rhythm game is the place to be.

Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands might as well be an expansion for Borderlands 3. Only fans of Borderlands who can tolerate Tiny Tina should consider this game.

THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD: Remake is an absolute disservice to the light gun classic. From the pop in to the loading times to the broken control scheme, this re-release would make even Dr. Curien cower in fear.

Cyber Pool bends the rules of pool a little too much to make it worthwhile. Diehard pool sharks will want something more realistic, while those looking for a more casual experience will feel like things are a little off.

I didn't dive into LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga expecting to have a lot of fun, but that's exactly what I had: a lot of fun. The witty writing is well timed and expertly delivered, reliving the events of the Star Wars franchise was a welcomed nostalgia trip. Even after completing the game, I woke up excited to dive in and explore more worlds, solve more puzzles, and unlock more characters.

Wave 1 of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass breathes new life into the multiplayer favorite, adding some of the series’ best hits. While there are some noticeably cut corners in this inaugural launch, we’re eager to hit these streets at our next shindig.

One Gun Guy blatantly copies Mega Man’s homework and yet still manages to fail the assignment. The idea of the entire game being one screen has some merit to it, but that’s all it has going for it.

Ghostwire: Tokyo is set up to be one of the most unique and interesting titles of the year, and it doesn't disappoint. Darken the room, turn the volume up loud, and keep out any distractions; Ghostwire: Tokyo is one hell of a spooky ride.

Although it’s missing the go-karts and arcade machines, MiniGolf Maker perfectly captures the minigolf experience. The staggering amount of options (almost to an extreme) means that no two courses will ever play out the same – just the thing for those looking for an ace in the hole.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax has remained an arcade staple for good reason - it’s got a perfect learning curve, fantastic sprite work, and oodles of fanservice. However, this lackluster port job is a disservice to the title. If you’ve never checked out the Midnight Channel, it’s a must play; however, those who have years of experience might feel like this is a rerun.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarok continues to showcase Ubisoft's greatest works. It's a rewarding addition to an already impressive list of DLC, designed for one of the best RPGs they've ever made.

The pint-sized action of Moto Roader MC is too small for its own good. The almighty Micro Machines have cornered the market on pint-sized thrills, and this single screen racer doesn’t do enough to dethrone the king.

While no one wants to call Game of the Year in March, Elden Ring stands at the top of a very tall hill. If you play one game this year, make it Elden Ring.

My time with Babylon's Fall was a strange one. I don't recall ever disliking a game so heavily, only to fall in love with it moments later. The satisfaction driven nature of the experience is a road worth taking, but the slow burn isn't for everyone.

Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires does not give us faith that the series can be saved. Put simply, it might be best to put this series out to pasture and focus on other Warriors entries.

Drift King fixates on the things that don’t matter, pouring all of its energy into minutiae instead of what makes a racing game truly thrive. Its bland tracks and broken drifting mechanics are not conducive to a good game, and the grind to unlock content will turn people off sooner rather than later. [Early Access Review - Score = 50]

Robot Daycare lacks any sort of focus, trying to tell two different tales at the same time. While the idea of a robot AI companion is a novel one, the execution here is far too disjointed to make it stand out.

Dinoland’s billiards concept is squandered with its broken physics engine. The title is borderline unplayable, making even the simplest shots a major struggle.

PEOPLEDOWN wears its inspiration on its sleeve, blatantly copying Hotline Miami’s homework down to the letter. It’s just a shame they didn’t do a good job at it; the overall sloppiness of the presentation makes this a faded photocopy of the classic gamers have come to love.

Land of Screens is far too one-note for its own good, repeatedly hammering the message that screens are pure evil. Its heart is in the right place, but its execution leaves something to be desired.

Pack your bags for South Town - KOF is back. The deep and stylish gameplay that put the series on the map is back and better than ever, and the inclusion of rollback netcode ensures this dream match never ends.

Despite its brilliance, Lost Ark’s ARPG nature won’t be for everyone. However, if you’ve been yearning for a new free-to-play experience to explore, you won’t get much better than this. The combat is exciting, the progression is quick and accessible, everything about Lost Ark screams a level of quality we’ve not seen in an MMO for many years. Lost Ark is the best free-to-play game to launch in the last 10 years, and I cannot wait to dive in at full release.

Fans of beat-'em-ups or kung fu movies will instantly fall in love with Sifu. If you can handle replaying levels multiple times, it's a must buy.

Dying Light 2 is so close to being great, but it is held back by a myriad of technical issues. It's fine with friends, but wait for some patches if you intend to fly solo.

SHINORUBI’s widescreen vantage point is certainly unique to the world of shoot-’em-ups, but this title proves there’s a good reason for that. Its lack of personality and cluttered playfield make this a hard pass for even the most hardcore shmup fan.

For those looking for some co-op fun, Nobody Saves the World is your game. If you’ve got a buddy that likes top-down action RPGs, make sure to add this one to your queue.

The idyllic, low-stakes world of Pupperazzi is one that budding photographers can easily be lost in. The laundry list of objectives can weigh on even the most devout pupper lover, but it is still worth a go for those looking for a breather.

Speed Mazing and its overly basic nature makes this a tough game to suggest for those looking for multiplayer mayhem. Its overly simplistic control scheme and its lack of options means that players will be tired of this game faster than it takes to finish a single round.

Windjammers 2 is a worthy successor to the disc flying action of the Neo-Geo classic. While it is a bit light on modes, its core action has enough variety to be the next big competitive hit.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Extraction is one of the most intense and exciting co-op experiences available today. It's an incredible addition to the Siege universe and one that stands alone as a fantastic demonstration of innovation in an otherwise stagnating genre.

I'll make this as simple as possible: If you like the idea of controlling a Roman Legion and conquering in the name of Rome, you will like Expeditions: Rome. If that doesn't sound like fun, then this game won't be for you.

Buck Up and Drive! is a vanity racer that focuses more on spectacle than depth. While we appreciate the nature of a car that can grind rails, there are a number of questionable design choices that cheapen the experience.

The battle between light and darkness never looked so good in GRAND CROSS: ReNOVATION. The Sun Blade mechanic is a much-needed breath of fresh air in the shmup space, one hardcore fans will enjoy mastering.

Unplugged blatantly copies One Finger Death Punch’s tried-and-true formula, but fails to jot down what made that indie darling so great. With simplistic gameplay and game-breaking bugs, this title is a pretender more than a contender.

The core elements of fishy are sound, but this visual novel is far too short for its own good. Finding one’s confidence makes for a great tale, but players just don’t have enough time to connect in this aquatic world.

Methodical puzzle games and frenzied roguelikes sound like apples and oranges, but Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon makes a delicious smoothie out of the two genres suitable for all tastes.

The arcade roots of Clockwork Aquario are proudly on display – for better or worse. While it proves to be a fun side-scrolling romp, it is also far too cheap and short for its own good. This time capsule is still worth a go, but even the staunchest side-scrolling fan should be aware of what they’re getting into.

Tiger Trio’s Tasty Travels packs some challenge underneath its cutesy exterior. It goes without saying that running a popular sushi business is a massive undertaking, but finding the right way to do it in this puzzle title proves that it’s worth taking on.

For a game that relies heavily on its storytelling, my brother lives in a canyon fails to engage players. The acting and plot simply aren’t there, and this tale of brotherly love simply lacks the punch of the better walking simulators on the market today.

Anybody who likes fast-paced platformers with a gorgeous sense of style will enjoy Solar Ash. Who knows – maybe fans of a certain blue hedgehog can play a good 3D game for once.

Casual racing experiences have their place, but Sparks – Episode 1 plays things far too safe. There’s simply no variety or flavor to each of its tracks, making the whole package feel drier than a package of saltines.

Battlefield 2042 has the potential to be a fantastic Battlefield game, but its server problems really put a damper on it. At this point, wait for a couple more patches before checking it out.

The pastel world and happy-go-lucky premise of Alpaca Stacka achieve exactly what it sets out to do, providing a casual experience kids (and kids at heart) will absolutely love. It’s overly short, but think of it as a casual breather between meatier titles and you’ll have a great time.

Track and field titles were designed as casual button mashers at their core, and World CHAMPIONS: Decathlon doesn’t do much to shake things up. The lack of personality and depth prevent this competitor from ever taking on the Track & Field champ.

If you enjoyed the original game, Jurassic World Evolution 2 is sure to bring you hours of entertainment (not including the “campaign”). However, for players hoping for more than a full priced DLC, disappointment is unavoidable.

The outrun aesthetic is alive and well with PalmRide. While this racer’s life system takes away from its sense of speed, its overall vibe more than makes up for it.

While Shin Megami Tensei 5 is rough around the edges, fans of the series will be satisfied. However, newcomers to the series and those not impressed by the previous entries best approach with caution.

Forza Horizon 5 is still an incredible racing game, one only overshadowed by the brilliance of its predecessor. Those with a lot of time behind the wheel in Forza Horizon 4 may feel this is one step forward for two steps back, but there's still a ton of fun to be had in this high-octane adventure.

You would think a game about minigolf would have a competent physics system, but Minigolf Adventure makes every last ball feel like a lead weight. It’s simply not fun to play, and no amount of variety can change its poor fundamentals.

Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is a flarkin fantastic game; it's easily the best game of the year so far. My only disappointment? We need more Lipless.

Pets No More changes up the Pong and Windjammers formula with some stylish aesthetics and arena choices. It’s just a shame that there’s little to this package; its lack of options and content greatly hinder its replayability.

Designed for short burst sessions, TechBeat Heart encourages players to come back for just one more run. This vertical shmup doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it doesn’t have to - its focus on the fundamentals pays off in dividends.

While Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles isn't the game to get me into the genre, I can't deny that it runs well and is mostly fun to play. Fans of the Demon Slayer anime - or fighting games in general - will be happy with this pickup.

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl attempts to follow the Super Smash Bros. formula, but it just doesn’t take things far enough. There’s a general lack of polish to its presentation and its physics, making it hard for even the most diehard Nicktoons fan to get engaged. Not even Nigel Thornberry and his smashing antics can save this platform fighter.

While New World isn’t a World of Warcraft or Final Fantasy XIV killer, it does prove that a new MMO can succeed. We’ll have to wait to see how they capitalize on their momentum.

The arcade action of Centipede: Recharged is inoffensive, but there simply isn’t enough content here to justify its price tag. Even the most devout score chaser will likely get bored with this title’s lack of variety, and its bland aesthetics seal its fate.

Far Cry 6 is the most fun I've had in a Far Cry game for years, but it won't be for everyone. If you've grown tired of the gameplay loops of the Far Cry titles of recent times, Far Cry 6 doesn't make much of an effort to change that up. However, if the thrill of carnage and combat still appeals, it's crazy, chaotic, and an absolute blast.

Those with a taste for speedy fighters will be right at home with Melty Blood: Type Lumina. The series' in-depth mechanics are alive and well in this reboot, making this arguably the best entry yet.

Those with a pocket full of quarters and a fervent love for the classics will be right at home with the side-scrolling action of Steel Assault. It might be a bit on the short side, but it encourages absolute mastery - just mind the gap.

Is World Racing ‘95 a retro throwback that will drum up nostalgia? Absolutely. However, despite looking and sounding the part, the awkward physics and slower action prevent it from hitting the same speed as AM2’s arcade classic.

Horatio Goes Snowboarding’s got the downhill action – and even the yeti – of Ski Free, but the start-and-stop pacing between runs prevent this blue fellow’s run from being a new casual classic.

Lost Judgment is another great entry in the Yakuza franchise, but one shadowed by better entries. The combat is incredible, the world still exciting and full of character, and the story is a worthwhile telling - but please, please don't make me tail anyone anymore.

Eastward will be on many shortlists for indie GOTY, and possibly on some main lists as well. If you like what you see, don't hesitate to pick this one up.

The bad girls of idolYAKI are certainly bad, but for all of the wrong reasons. While this visual novel has got a novel concept, the execution and presentation prove to be too much of a has been to make an impact.

Those with the gambler’s spirit will enjoy raking in the dough with PEGGO!’s pachinko action, but this cathartic experience is a bit repetitive. It’s great for fans of multiplier frenzies, but less so for those looking for something a bit meatier.

Cruis’n Blast focuses on style over substance, making the end result feel a bit hollow. Navigating a careening ferris wheel is the stuff action movies are made of, but there’s just not enough content here to justify picking up this home release over sinking a few bucks into the arcade version.

Deathloop is in a weird spot. It isn't as good as Dishonored, but I also don't expect to see another game in the series. If you want to support the studio or need a Dishonored fix, this will help...but honestly, the game isn't that fun.

Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is a prime example of developers learning from the first game to improve upon the second. While there are still technical issues, it is a great game for Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder fans alike.

While the aerial movement of Neon Wings: Air Race helps this title stand out, its poor implementation hinders its balance when all is said and done.

A title described as an “invasive expression of gesture” might not sound like a good time, but Cuccchi’s blend of art and gameplay largely pays off. Those that can stand a bit of awkwardness in its navigation can enjoy a novel experience that they are sure to remember.

Although Beat Souls features a kaleidoscope of color and a wealth of anime girls, the music and action of this rhythm game are far too tame for their own good. It provides an interesting twist on the genre, but it will leave players feeling like something is missing.

If 2236 A.D. Secretary Stories shows the future of visual novels, then things look bleak. This title manages to make nearly every mistake in the book, making this AI PASS an easy pass.

Although it is not the most polished game around, Aery – Calm Mind manages to provide a relaxing experience free of danger and worry. Those looking to zone out a bit will enjoy hitting the skies, but those seeking out something meatier best approach with caution.

King's Bounty 2 is everything turn-based fans have been screaming out for. The traditional RPG elements are executed to near perfection. The combat is challenging and engaging from start to finish. The story is dark, heartwarming, and impactful. Put simply, this game has everything.

Aliens: Fireteam Elite does precisely what it sets out to do: letting players kill Aliens and defend hallways. Expecting anything more is only going to lead to disappointment.

While City of Gangsters is a solid mafia management sim, the combat holds it back from greatness. Be sure to check out a trailer or two to see what’s in store first.

The experimental nature of Heal Hitler pays off in dividends. By focusing squarely on the script, this visual novel features a real human element that makes every choice truly matter. Those looking for an enthralling tale with one of history’s most infamous dictators have certainly found it in this psychologists’ office.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla: The Siege of Paris is very much a creature of habit, offering more of what we've seen before and doing very little to break away from its tried and tested roots. Whether that's good or bad is entirely up to you. If you've loved the path so far, you're sure to love Eivor's latest adventure; just watch out for those bloody rats.

NEO: The World Ends With You is a unique and colorful action RPG that packs a fun combat system. While it’s certainly not for everyone, those drawn to its stylish vibe will absolutely love it.

If you’ve got the slightest interest in the horror genre, you’ve already seen what Night Book has to offer. The idea of a full motion video tale with multiple endings is a noble one, but the poor acting and breakneck pace ruin its chances of ever standing out.

While Samurai Warriors 5 doesn’t break from the mold, it does help get the Warriors series back on track after Dynasty Warriors 9. Fans of hack and slash or past Musou games should check it out.

The Ascent delivers on every promise. The combat is fast-paced, challenging, and explosive. The environment is gorgeous, gritty, and dark. Everything about the cyberpunk theme screams out for attention. If you're a fan of twin-stick style shooters and the thematics of the cyberpunk universe, The Ascent offers an exciting and rewarding adventure that is worth every second.

Cris Tales isn’t going to set your world on fire, but it proves to be good turn-based RPG comfort food. If you don’t mind titles that drag a bit, this one is for you.