This is a fantastic, gorgeous experience, and if you have a Nintendo Switch, you should definitely give these islands a visit.

There's quite a bit of replay value involved, primarily when trying to get the three hidden characters unlocked.

Barking Dog's attention to detail and their sincere desire to improve almost every aspect of the original has resulted in an extremely solid title that easily stands up to any real-time strategy game released this year. I am impressed.

I’d definitely urge you to give Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection a go if you’re like me and grew up playing these games either at home or in the arcade, and want a little taste of nostalgia to go along with your modern day fighter. Most of the games in this collection still hold up really well today, and Capcom / Digital Eclipse have done a real solid job in putting this port together.

In the end this could be the best golf game you have ever played, or the worst, and it will all be dependent on how much you can adapt to the new swing mechanics, that while take the most realistic approach in video game history, don't provide the option for casual gamers to revert to a different or classic mechanic.

All in all, Grand Theft Auto V is one of those majorly hyped titles that actually delivers.

Splinter Cell: Conviction is a return to form for the series after the slight hiccup that was Double Agent, and anyone that's put off trying out the game at this point would do well to give the series another chance.

Whether you enjoy or dislike the dumb, loud action provided by the script, I find it hard to believe that you wouldn’t fall in love with the well-crafted gameplay that fills the void between cutscenes. It’s a remarkable experience.

I really, really like DiRT 3, and while I'm going to gripe about a couple things in the game, if you like racing games you owe it to yourself to pick up DiRT 3.

It easily blows the first game out of the water, and puts the gameplay in titles like Grand Theft Auto to shame.

With all the new game play additions, better menus and customization options, a revamped Road to Glory mode, Custom Conferences, a new tackling engine, and presentation that represents all the major Game Day Traditions, ESPN overlays, and very cool replays that not only happen during big plays, but even are recapped at quarter's end and game's end, you really couldn't ask for anything more.

It may not be long, but it doesn't need to be, either, and it tops it all off with an abundance of style.

FIFA 14 may seem like the same old song and dance on the surface, but once you get into the game you’ll appreciate what the developer has done to enhance the overall quality, even if the glitz and glamour suffers a bit by not advancing along the same path as the improved controls.

Overall, Sticker Star is as far removed from Super Paper Mario as that was from The Thousand Year Door. While you might lament the departure the series has taken from its original RPG roots, this hybrid of adventure and action found in Sticker Star stands out as one of the best entries in the series.

I'm not going to go so far as to say that this it the best Call of Duty yet, but I certainly find myself more compelled to spend a lot more time with this than I did Modern Warfare 3. Both the campaign and multiplayer portions of the game feel like a step above the previous entry, and if early sales and online player base are any indication, this is going to be the game your friends will playing for months to come. So if you're on the fence, I'd definitely suggest picking this up, it delivers enough changes to keep the series relevant and fun, while retaining everything that makes Call of Duty what you've come to expect.

Not that being more emotional and being fun are mutually exclusive – as Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart proves time and again. As the series enters into its third (!!!) decade, this PC port is a fine way to show that the Ratchet and Clank are still compelling characters, and even if there are a few points where it feels like the game could use a little more polish in terms of performance, they can’t take away the fact that Rift Apart is an outstanding game.

It may be harder to appreciate now than it was when it first came out a couple of years ago, but that doesn't mean it's anything less than outstanding.

The control is spot-on, player ratings make a huge difference in checking, skating and passing, and it just feels like real on-ice action. ESPN NHL 2K4 has ironed out most of the wrinkles from last year, and turned the presentation up to 11 - you won't find a better playing, better looking, or better sounding hockey game available.

The gameplay has never been better and it carries over all the favorite modes from last year. I didn’t expect to be so glowing on this year’s release because on the surface this looked like NHL 19 the sequel, but I can happily report I was wrong and NHL 20 blasts a goal from the blue line.

Mega Man ZX features some amazing production values, great game design, and even some inventive and sensible usage of the dual screen format. Outside of the somewhat confusing world map, I just can’t think of a single complaint about the game—it’s solid on every front, excelling in a few key places.

Excitebots is intense and wacky racing rolled into one. The game throws conventional wisdom out the window and just focuses on the player having a good time. It’s easily of the best racing games I’ve played and it’s sure to put a smile on anyone who’s fortunate enough to pick it up.

There is so much value here for the money spent, which isn't particularly easy to say about a lot of new $60 games. Enjoy it.

It shows just how much the company cares about this series, and the hard work and dedication have paid off in spades. All I can say is even you have played or preferred the 2K series in the past; you owe it to yourself if you are a fan of the game, to take this one to the hoop.

Even though the overall look and presentation has not received a glowing amount of attention, it is what EA has done as far as tweaking the controls, A.I. and adding a monster amount of modes and options that will keep fans of the links playing for another year to come.

It’s certainly one of my favorite Switch games of the year so far, and an excellent RPG altogether. Even if you’re not the biggest Monster Hunter fan in the world, I think you’ll find the unique monster gathering mechanic to be quite addictive, making this a hard game to put down.

Between the plotting, level design, and gameplay, Tomb Raider: Legend does an admirable job of rescuing the franchise. Crystal Dynamics have torn down the franchise, consulted with the creator, and rebuilt it from the ground up as something significantly different…Something great.

While it isn't an equal to GT in terms of depth, it still provides enough diversity and play modes to keep just about every person with a yen for high-speed auto racing satisfied.

Fortunately, there’s absolutely no lag during gameplay, so bombing friends is every bit as fast as before.

I really dug NHL 22, the new engine, the tried and true smooth gameplay, it hit all the check boxes for me. I do wish they had a new mode or two since I last played the series two years ago and that $10 next gen “fee” can be a tough pill to swallow for fans that pick up the release every year, but it still gets my recommended seal of approval. EA survives the power play, but I don’t know if they can handle another one (another hockey pun, sorry).

Currently the best real-time strategy title I have played since "Homeworld."

A lot of effort went into creating distinctive worlds, and they help the game constantly feel fresh and fun. Really, that could be the tagline for Crash 4: fresh and fun. It may be based on a franchise that started a few decades and generations ago, but this new entry feels resolutely modern. It’s a wonderful addition to a series that you’re sure to enjoy, regardless of whether you’ve been waiting for it for many years, or you’re coming to Crash Bandicoot for the first time.

It’s a smart take on 2D action/platforming titles, with fantastic visuals and music, and a pretty humorous script to boot.

There's no new content here, but you still have two absolutely fantastic games that have seriously impacted the future of gaming. You can't go wrong.

By far the best college football game to date.

Still, I'd only recommend buying it if you happen to have a second PS4 controller lying around — it's just that designed for local multiplayer. Then again, if you're looking for a game that single-handedly justifies the purchase of a second controller, Towerfall: Ascension is probably it.

Mochi Mochi is an absolute delight, and whether you’re after an easy Platinum or not, it’ll be well worth your time.

This game is “near” flawless.

That’s really this game in a nutshell: it’s relentlessly sunny in the face of a grey world, and you only win by making the lives of your friends brighter. Given we’re in the dead of winter as I write this – after a few very difficult years, in the midst of yet another pandemic wave – that’s the kind of message I can go for. Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan is a pleasant antidote to these times, and even if I can’t describe it, I know I liked it.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR is a MUST HAVE if you own a PlayStation VR. As much of a fan as I am of everything VR, I can safely say that this is what I have been waiting for. The only other game that even comes close to this form of immersion is Farpoint, but Skyrim blows that away! I wanted an experience where I felt I was living and interacting in a complete virtual world and Skyrim VR accomplishes this magnificently. Despite it’s very minor issues, I can highly recommend getting this even if you’ve never played an Elder Scrolls game before. Even if you’ve mastered the previous versions, you owe it to yourself to give this version a try. This is one I will be definitely playing for a long time.

While the new deck strengths might not be particularly even, you get a whole lot of content for your five dollars spent. It's a great first expansion for the 2012 game, and if you already own the core content, I definitely urge you to pick this up.

As a swansong, the RGG team has crafted something that is absolutely befitting of the stoic hero who has carried the series for since 2005. It would’ve been easy to have this be the most bombastic entry of the series and have all the series fan favorites show up, however the fact that a majority of characters involved are mostly new allows you to really focus on Kiryu’s final story. We’re not gonna sugar coat that a new hero has already risen and has held his own, however it is heartening that the series has gotten enough support that it has finally escaped the PlayStation ecosystem and can be enjoyed by gamers everywhere!

One of the best playing baseball games I’ve played in recent memory... This game is for purists.

Hands down one of the most impressive looking games that I have seen on the GBA. The backgrounds are vibrant, colorful and full of life.

Jedi Academy continues the strong stories and challenging gameplay of past games in the series, while making improvements, big and small, along the way.

A great game from a gameplay standpoint but fails pretty badly when it comes to the story. As a result, even though I've given it an A-, it turns out to be one of my biggest disappointments of the year.

The music creator itself could end up being worth the $60 price tag alone, but the core experience is just as fun here as it's been in previous Guitar Hero titles, and the small gameplay additions and changes are all welcomed.

So while I do tend to be pretty positive about the LEGO series as a whole, it's also easy to see that this is the best effort Traveler's Tales has put into the franchise as of yet.

I can say that I've been playing it for about 4hrs at a time and it doesn't get old. Good graphics and good presentation of a classic game makes for an excellent choice

If you have a friend to play along with, then that's obviously the way to go, but don't let the thought of playing with the AI deter you from picking this up. It's a great game, and well worth your time.

I'm sure some people may question why they need to pick up 16-month-late port, but if the prospect of being Spidey on-the-go is at all appealing to you (or even if you're in the mood for some fun, open-world action), then you definitely need to check this out.

There aren’t really any other games like this on the Switch, so as long as you’re okay with — or at least willing to tolerate — visuals that pale in comparison to how they look elsewhere, then you’re in for one of the last gen’s best zombie games.

The Quiet Collection costs less than $5, and for that price you get a couple of hours of worthwhile adventure gaming. It won't change your life, but it will help a few commutes and/or break times pass by a little more enjoyably.

I'm glad I had a chance to check out PES 2016 as it would have flown completely under my radar during this busy video game time of the year. I can say I will no longer be an exclusive FIFA player and already have recommended some friends to check out Pro Evolution Soccer

Just too damn short! I logged in roughly six or seven hours and finished the game, though, those six or seven hours were some of the finest gaming hours of my life.

Fans of the Burnout series will be hard pressed not to be impressed by what was crammed into such a small disc.

Tangle Tower is built around an excellent whodunit mystery that moves along at just the right pace. There’s a great balance of plot, puzzle, and humour, and it does a good job of keeping you invested all the way to the very end. In this respect, you could say that the game carries on in the traditions of the very best adventure games from a few decades ago — but it manages to do so in a way that feels undeniably fresh.

Overall, Pure Pool is a fun and accurate representation of the fine game of billiards and there will be little that fans will find that is overlooked here.

There’s something awfully satisfying about getting in a groove and answering question after question, and S.U.M. – Slay Uncool Monsters is built around allowing you to do just that. It never gets in its own way, which is a bigger achievement than many games can ever muster. Sure, it’s basically designed for Grade 2 students learning their times tables — but when it comes to S.U.M. – Slay Uncool Monsters, that’s the sort of nostalgia I can get behind.

The action in Tokyo Xanadu may be a little spread out for my tastes, but when it’s on, it’s pretty fun.

Regardless of graphical quibbles, Forza 4 is a fantastic racing experience. There's a ridiculous amount of content here, both online and off, and a huge community that pours a massive amount of support into the game via car clubs, liveries, tuning, auctions and so on.

That they've come out with something that plays to their strengths so well is an impressive achievement, and if you have any love for horror games whatsoever, you owe it to yourself to play Layers of Fear.

Rather than trying to fit itself into a specific genre category, Shutshimi aims to make the existing genre fit around it. It's a bold statement to make, but it's one that the game's developers are able to pull off with aplomb.

I’d say Judgment is worth checking out, and certainly marks the best jumping on point for the world of Yakuza since Yakuza 0, even if it isn’t technically a Yakuza game. A whole new cast, new story threads, new mechanics, and more, mean that everyone can give this a shot without being bogged down by 6 or more games worth of 40+ hours of storytelling. So if you’ve ever been on the fence with the series, I’d say give Judgment a shot, and if you like it, go back and check out the Kiwami remakes or Yakuza 0 for a very similar experience.

And really, that's what makes Undisputed 3 work. It's super accessible for anyone moderately familiar with fighters, yet has an insane amount of depth for those willing to spend time with the game. That generally seems to be the hallmark of any great fighter, and I think UFC Undisputed fits that bill. There are still a few kinks to be ironed out, but certainly less than were present in previous years.

It's absorbing, beautiful, plays well, and will provide many, many hours of adventuring.

RGG Studio’s greatest strength is it’s writing and characters and Lost Judgment delivers in spades. Characters are fleshed out and their motives feel grounded and believable, but you will also meet plenty of wacky and memorable folks as well. You grow attached to the people you meet in Ijincho and when bad things happen you genuinely hope everyone escapes unscathed.

So basically, Lollipop Chainsaw is a game that's certainly worth your time and money. The overall game, on Normal, is pretty short, but there's a whole lot replay value packed into the experience that actually makes that short game time a lot more feasible than you might expect.

So what is there left to say except, if you call yourself a racing fan, even if you have passed on or hated the last few outings this Need for Speed series had to offer, this is a whole new game that feels fresh. To put it in simple terms, you "Need" this game in your racing library.

The modern day Square Enix track record rarely does itself any favors, but this is one instance where I think the company and talented folks involved should be commended for their effort.

All in all, this is definitely something that all 3DS owners should consider picking up. Even if you played the heck out of Donkey Kong Country Returns on the Wii, I think you’ll find that this definitely warrants the double dip.

Every course and environment in SSX is stunning.

Call of Juarez: Gunslinger may not be a forgotten classic, but it is pretty darn fun, and that’s more than enough to make it worth checking out.

The end result though is a very playable method of swinging through the city yet at the same time looking flashy and a lot like the way it was done in the movie. You can imagine the final few seconds of the first movie to get an idea of what you can expect, except you'll actually be doing it.

All in all, I’m pretty impressed with Fortified. It has very few shortcomings, most notably the repetitive music and lack of modes, but at $14.99 it gives a very fun, challenging, multiplayer experience for Xbox One and PC players alike.

Kirby: Planet Robobot was a pleasant surprise, no doubt, but especially as someone who could generally look at a Kirby game and take it or leave it. It's one thing to please fans, but to win over indifference is kind of a big deal to me.

Simply put, Divekick is a fighting game that you can — and should! — play even if you're not usually good at fighting games.

There are many ways this game could’ve come off as just another Japanese DRPG. To its enormous credit, it avoids all those pitfalls, and makes an interesting game in the process.

All in all, I found New Super Mario Bros. U to be a very rewarding, fun breath of fresh air for the series that does a pretty good job of showcasing new elements found in the Wii U system. It's certainly a step up in terms of visuals, and looks great both on the big screen and on the Wii U Game Pad.

Really, I shouldn’t be shocked that A Good Snowman is Hard to Build is so cute or so good at what it does. After all, it’s a loose sequel to A Monster’s Expedition – which also came to the Switch after being a mobile hit, and which was also utterly delightful. You don’t need to play one in order to understand the other, but if you want some adorable-but-challenging puzzle games, you should probably play this one. Or that one. Or, better yet, both.

A complete package. It combines some fine storytelling, great presentation values on every level, interesting puzzles, and great platforming to make for a fun ride that doesn't leave too soon or overstay its welcome.

Tetris Ultimate on the Vita won't redefine the game by any stretch of the imagination, but it also won't tarnish its legacy — and as one of the many, many people for whom Tetris is a seminal gaming memory, that's really all I could ask for.

Even if you’re not a Mario Kart fanatic, I think you’ll still have a ton of fun with this entry. This is a Mario Kart that will be well-remember for years to come.

Overall, this is a solid addition to Pinball FX3. All three tables offer substantial challenge and each have their own charm. Calrissian Chronicles is, by far, the best offering with Solo following a close second. Battle of Mimban is good, but falls a little short behind. This pack will definitely please the hardcore Star Wars fan, as the source material is used extremely well. Pinball fanatics will also enjoy the challenge and gameplay offered with this entire pack. Star Wars fan or not, I highly recommend this pack, as it’s a great addition to the Pinball FX family!

It's accessible, fun, and rewarding to play through. Shadow Complex is a crucial game, as it raises the bar for future budget-priced downloadables.

Overall, LocoRoco might be one of my favorite Sony first party titles of all time and I’m thrilled it’s seeing new life on the PS4 (which maybe means a new sequel someday). I still feel like it was perfectly built to be played on a handheld, the tilting just fits it more naturally, but since the Vita is all but dead, the PS4 is the only option we have, and that’s fine by me. Another PSP cult classic, Patapon, looks to be the next PSP remaster to come to the PS4 and based on the sales of these I’m hopeful Sony invests in more PSP titles that haven’t seen the light of day since the handheld died. I’m happy to recommend remasters of the PSP library if they're done with this much care and effort.

If this is a genre you like or have been tempted to try out, N3 is a fantastic addition.

While the graphics took a small hit in the PS2 version, they have managed to tweak the control to near perfection.

Play this one alone and in the dark. The Boogeyman gives this title major props for the sheer terror it brings.

It doesn't have the polish that GTA IV has, but at the same time I just felt like I was having more fun here than I ever did in Liberty City. The sheer amount of freedom in how you do your missions (and the lack of scripted set-ups) is one of my favorite aspects in a sandbox environment, and right now, Saints Row 2 honestly serves up the best experience when it comes to just having some fun in a big city with no rules for a few hours.

Pumpkin Jack is an excellent 3D platformer that’s well worth your time, whether you’re playing it at Halloween or any other time of the year.

It’s a pretty good game for anyone who misses the days when games like What Remains of Edith Finch and Firewatch were gracing best-of lists. Return to Grace is probably a little late to get the same kind of widespread acclaim and reputation, but if there were any justice, it would get both, and deservedly so.

A true workhorse, it does everything strongly and efficient, and doesn't have any real weaknesses that can't be overlooked over a short bit of experience with the title.

This is in my opinion the best football game ever.

As criticisms go, “it was too addictive and I finished it in a few hours” isn’t exactly the worst thing you can say about a game. In fact, as someone who prefers quality over quantity, I’d much rather leave a game wanting much, much more — which was exactly the case with One Line Coloring. There are much worse ways to spend part of an afternoon.

Here's how much I love Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires: my only complaint is that there's no autosaving, which meant I once lost about half a continent. I figure that any time my complaints can be totally chalked up to user error, that speaks volumes about how good everything else is — and it explains why I think that if you're looking for one Warriors game that shows everything the franchise does well without getting bogged down by any of its weaknesses, Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires is the one to get.

Even if you've played "Burnout 3" 'til you had blisters on your fingers, there is plenty of new and exciting tracks, cars, and features that will peak your interest once again.

NFS Underground 2 does one more thing exceptionally well; give the gamer plenty of bang for their buck. If 8 different game play modes wasn’t enough; Circuit, Drag, Drift, Sprint, Street X, Downhill Drift, Outrun, and Underground Racing League, you have a story mode that will give gamers over 40 hours of racing joy.

Those in the market for something different and unique, will most likely get the most satisfaction out of the game.