There’s no question that Narita Boy is epic. As though it jumped right out of an arcade machine from the 80s, it has exciting, fast-paced combat and some of the most beautiful pixel art that will ever grace your screen. Though the story is rather complex, it does nothing but help fuel the unique tone of the game. You might not understand exactly what’s going on, but when the action is this much fun, it doesn’t really matter.

With combos and accessibility akin to Dragon Ball FighterZ and deep, intricate mechanics like Tekken and Injustice, it truly caters to whoever chooses to pick up a controller. A diverse and unique cast, an electric soundtrack and exciting visuals make for ferocious fights, and while the competition is hot in the fighting game genre right now it’s undoubtedly worth a peek.

It may not have truly next-gen visuals and the movement of constable Zellner may be a little clunky, but its captivating story, entertaining characters and rewarding point and click gameplay more than compensate for any shortcomings.

Noisy, tough, but ridiculously entertaining, Neurovoider will have you praying for the robot apocalypse.

The story could use a little more depth, but hey; the Super Mario games didn’t have the greatest storylines and they’re still considered to be among the best platformers of all time.

But, as an action-puzzler, Soft Body is great fun and has some incredibly rewarding puzzles – especially when you get into Hard Game and Soft Game+, where you cannot combine your bodies and the game takes on a whole other realm of maddening difficulty.

It’s cathartic, relaxing, and at times truly challenging, but most of all, it manages to capture your attention and remains enjoyable from start to finish.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider leaves a little to be desired as the final instalment in this reboot series, but the trilogy all together is a strong and fantastic series. It’s worth picking up and playing if, for no other reason, than to share in Lara’s incredible adventures one more time.

For a game that contains no dialogue, Youropa is filled with charm from start to finish.

Into the Belly of the Beast is quite a hard game to explain and is something that is best discovered through playing – and I thoroughly recommend that you do.

That said, Anode‘s incredibly low price alone makes this a recommended purchase for all Xbox One owners. When you also add in the crisp visuals and variety of great game modes it’s enough to raise it above many similar efforts out there.

A trashy, retro-styled survival horror, The Lacerator stands out due to the fact that it forces you to play on even if you lose a limb. It's quite simple and rather short, but numerous routes and endings will entice you to play through it multiple times.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard was probably never going to win over all Dragon Age fans, and by being more streamlined than ever, it's those who were hoping that it would go back to the series' roots that will be most disappointed. For those who love a good action RPG with stunning visuals, however, there's a lot to like here.

Ultimately it’s the boss fights you’ll remember by the time the credits roll on Death’s Door. There’s more of them than you’ll probably expect, and each and every one of them is wonderfully designed. They can be tricky to defeat – one or two of them particularly so – but when you emerge victorious the feeling is akin to overcoming a boss in Dark Souls. Needless to say, if you love games like The Legend of Zelda and don’t mind a bit more of a challenge, be sure to give Death’s Door your attention.

As a Survivors-like, Let Them Come: Onslaught doesn't offer anything unique or original, but it doesn't really matter: it's simply so much fun to play. The action is intense and made a little more interesting from one run to the next thanks to random missions. But it's the many weapons available to you that will impress the most, with upgrades making them wonderfully destructive.

Hardcore Mecha is a gorgeous, robotic thrill-ride with more than enough variety to keep you hooked from beginning to end. Even if mechs leave you cold, it’s well worth strapping in for.

[Californium] did get challenging at times, and I would be lying if I said I didn’t rage quit once or twice, but in the end the reward for finishing was worth it.

Blue Prince meets Vampire Survivors: that's the best way to describe Into The Restless Ruins, a roguelike deckbuilding game with a twist. You place cards to build your dungeon, then explore it to gain experience. It's perhaps not as challenging as it could be, but it's a great deal of fun nonetheless.

For a game set in a jail, Back to the Dawn offers an impressive amount of freedom. Coupled with a conspiracy-minded story, and more side-quests you can shake a shiv at, you'll be hooked.

As it stands however, there’s still a genuinely high amount of enjoyment to be had, but frustration will likely soon mount for most players once they reach the hazard levels and putting challenges. If you miss Burnout‘s Crash Junction mode though, and are looking for something that doesn’t take itself too seriously, Three Fields’ debut into the independent game market is still an impressive attempt that warrants your attention.

Cook, Serve, Delicious 3 is an excellent title. A few tweaks to the holding station mechanics could help the game feel a little more challenging, but even as it is, when you get towards the end, your fingers will be moving so fast that your brain will barely be able to keep up. And that madness is what the Cook, Serve, Delicious series is all about. If you’ve enjoyed the previous games, then Cook, Serve, Delicious 3 is a must-play. With a strange but entertaining story, new mechanics, new foods and more, it’s a delicious feast of challenging, foodie fun.

Making your way around Nobody Saves the World‘s map is nothing but a pure joy. This gorgeous, whimsical adventure feels like a more playful A Link to the Past at times – if A Link to the Past had you changing into a slug or a zombie, that is. If you’re a fan of accessible action RPGs and enjoy laying waste to tonnes of enemies, you can’t go wrong here. Once again, Drinkbox Studios has taken an oversaturated genre and turned it into something unique and delightful.

Against all odds, Dead Island 2 is pretty much everything we wanted it to be. This is the ultimate zombie game, dropping you in a setting that’s an absolute joy to explore and spend time in while taking apart zombies in any way you please. Fans of Dead Island will be overjoyed at what’s been delivered here, taking the core concept of the original game and building upon it to make something that’s perhaps a little more linear, but better in all regards. It’s funny to think that we once considered this game dead, because developer Dambuster Studios has proved that there’s life in the series yet.

Whether you find liminal spaces strangely appealing or unsettlingly eerie, we recommend you give Pools a try. We certainly haven’t played anything quite like it before. It may not be an action-packed experience with complex mechanics – hell, some might not even consider it a game at all – but it’s utterly compelling from beginning to end.

With its tight controls and simple gameplay that’s easy to pick up but hard to master, Mr. Run and Jump is yet another game from Atari that should thrill those seeking an old-fashioned challenge. Though it is attractive-looking with its neon visuals, this is a game that proves gameplay is king, with you becoming strangely invested in the exploits of its stick-man protagonist and his dog, Leap.

Often contrasting a white background with bright block objects, there could not have been a better mix for a game all about avoiding things.

It’s not the same as getting a brand new game, but when it comes to Katamari, we’ll take whatever we can get. We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie is just as delightful as the original, and it’s clear a lot of work has been done to make this 18-year-old game look just as good as ever. Some of its more random levels aren’t quite as enjoyable as they should be, but as a full package, this is Katamari at its best.

If you’re looking for a game that’s challenging yet relaxing, Lawn Mowing Simulator fits the bill. Starting up your own business, you need to choose your contracts carefully and mow lawns with care. And while it really does feel like work at times, there’s something seriously enjoyable about going back and forth in serene British parks and gardens, making them look prim and proper. Ultimately, Lawn Mowing Simulator is more addictive than it has any right to be.