The intensity, excitement, and frantic pacing that FIFA brings to the table mimics the real thing so perfectly, it's hard not to become a fan after just a few scrimmages.

It's a fantastic follow-up, probably one of the best sequels you'll ever play, one that actually takes the complaints of the first game and improves upon them tenfold.

Possibly the best-looking PS2 game EVER! The character models are intricately detailed to show facial grimaces, wrinkles on clothing, and wonderful animation throughout the entire game.

Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age performs really well on the Switch. I’ve played almost exclusively on a Nintendo Switch Lite, and even in 3D mode it holds up really well. Performance is solid, I never really noticed severe framerate issues, and load times feel in line with the PS4 version of the game if not better.

The definitive version of one of 2005's biggest action games. It's fun, it's fast, and although the Wii's controversial controller is at the center of it, it facilitates instead of hinders the gameplay.

These battles are INSPIRED. Seriously. Take your favorite boss fight from each of your favorite games, and imagine them mashed together into one incredibly breathtaking environment that requires you to think, explore, and ultimately act.

Seriously, I have no idea where Playground Games can go with Forza Horizon from here. The map is huge, yet well-populated with things to do. The car selection is vast, the controls are spot-on, the game looks gorgeous in all areas, the musical options are diverse, the online play is excellent, and the community tools are rock solid. I have little doubt that we’ll see a Forza Horizon 4 down the road, but I think you’ll find Forza Horizon 3 leaves little room for improvement. It’s an A+ game top to bottom, and absolutely one of the best games you’ll play all year.

Well worth the asking price.

The controls in the GC versions of Zelda are airtight, even more fluid and responsive than the originals on the N64... The coolest bonus disk ever!

Sonic Mania Plus is definitely worth checking out, especially if you happened to miss out on the original release of Sonic Mania. It’s a true return to form for everyone’s favorite hedgehog, and it’s definitely nice to have a reason to revisit.

It's the perfect game for anyone who's ever criticized their team's GM for doing a crappy job, since it gives you the opportunity to step into their shoes — and, with a few tweaks here and there, prove that all your criticisms are totally valid. It's wish fulfillment of the nerdiest kind, and I just can't get enough of it.

Most of the visual beauty takes a back seat to a bad camera and fairly repetitive gameplay. To be blunt, the camera system in Ninja Gaiden sucks.

An incredible portable achievement and one that handily puts many current generation console titles to shame. Get ready for a blood-soaked and brutal ride that doesn't let up until the closing credits.

Tecmo has gone the extra mile by including tons of extras in addition to the already spectacular gameplay and graphics that was already there.

Of course no game is EVER perfect, but damn if it doesn't throw a shutout to the other baseball games out there.

Shadow of the Colossus was very worthy of a remake if only just to ensure that a new generation of PlayStation gamers have the opportunity to experience it. To spite a couple of minor camera and gameplay issues, Shadow of the Colossus is a highly recommended, magical and memorable journey for PS4 owners.

Just another bright and shining jewel on the Miyamoto crown of accomplishments! This often overlooked masterpiece will finely get the time in the lime light it deserves.

This Journey won't be to everyone's taste, but for those who salivate at the idea of one of the best-written graphical adventures ever seen, it's one well worth taking.

With innovative levels, a sparkling soundtrack, enhanced graphics, and near-perfect control, this is one game you won't want to pass up. Jedi Knight is easily the best game of its kind available.

First Person Football is the monster addition though. With everything in the gameplay that was updated for 2K4, I don’t know how they found the time to add this big of an addition. First Person Football is a game unto itself, and you get it for free.

The first-person view even has a sense of inertia that many FPS titles somehow fail to include, and all of this is trucked along in compliment by the game's gloomy and dark appearance. It's not gritty so much as it is heavy.

I think it's more akin to the original Halo CE than any of the previous games, and while I totally enjoyed both Halo 3 and ODST a great deal, it's hard to deny that this is the best of Xbox 360 entries into the series.

There's a ton of variation throughout the entire game, and an amazing amount of detail to be explored. I'd say it's an absolute must buy for anyone that loves gaming, and I hope you'll get as much out of the experience as I have.

A shining example of bringing together a wide variety of different ideas, executing them with a ever-engaging style, and delivering a polished product that is a thrilling experience from beginning to end.

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.

Psychonauts 2 took over 16 years to reach the masses, and while it was an agonizing wait to return to the wondrous world that Double Fine has crafted, it was definitely worth the wait. Double Fine didn’t deviate from the formula they had crafted many years ago and still retained the humor and heart that the first title had. While this title doesn’t posit anything that remained unanswered, let’s hope we won’t have to wait as long to find out what happens to Raz in the next couple of days in his life.

Do they look anywhere near as stunning as Uncharted 2 or the upcoming God of War III? Not a chance. Do they look as good or play as or better than some early next generation games? They do actually, thanks to the high production values, especially II.

With all the mixed reviews with some saying "ESPN" is the best, and some saying Madden is the best, this reviewers money is on Madden this year as to me it is worth the extra 30 dollars for what you do on an off the field.

The Hawk may have competition, but it still flies higher than anyone else.

Persona 5 Royal is definitely an amazing role-playing game experience. The story is engaging and most of the characters are fun with colorful personalities to match. The battle system can be deeply engaging and almost a puzzle to figure out how to navigate. Collecting the Personas can be quite addictive as is playing with merging the Personas. This game is a must buy for any JRPG fan.

It's a great shooter and a great video game in general. It caps off the trilogy extremely well, perhaps better than any recent video game trilogy that I can think of.

It's excellent in nearly every aspect, and certainly one of the best games you'll play this year, let alone the best licensed game I've ever played (sorry Riddick). If you've been on the fence about this one, I highly suggest you pick it up, there's nothing here that'll disappoint, and like I mentioned, the gameplay is so great that you don't need to be a Batman fan to appreciate how great the gameplay is.

The visuals are incredible... [and] environments are jaw-dropping.

Overall Dragon Age: Origins is fantastic, and is a must play for any fan of the genre. Doubly so since it readily promotes multiple play throughs. It's the player that controls the game more than the story , so everyone can look forward to spending endless hours in a wonderfully fleshed out fantasy realm.

It is without a doubt the best soccer game created.

It’s easily the best original Legend of Zelda release since the N64 days, and I think you’ll find it’s something you don’t want to miss.

One of the best games of the year on any platform.

If you’ve patiently waited for the PC release, consider yourself rewarded for said patience. This is hands-down the best version of Dark Souls 2 you’ll be able to get, and shows a massive improvement over the lackluster effort that went into the first PC release of Dark Souls.

I feel like I should temper my praise of Donkey Kong Bananza, but at the same time, if I did, I’d be lying. This is one of the most enjoyable games I’ve played in a long time. If you’ve been holding out on buying a Switch 2, this is the game that should make you buy one: it really is that phenomenal.

If you haven’t played Shovel Knight, Treasure Trove is an absolute must buy… and if you have, you already know that it’s a must buy.

The game’s graphics are silky smooth and the track designs are fantastic.

It’s too short. Sure, there are twenty-five levels plus hidden areas and bosses, but they're limited to variations on about five different time periods, and they’re very short.

Although I feel it is sufficiently simple for anyone to jump into and enjoy, there are those who simply don't like golf. If you really don't like golf, this is obviously not the game for you. However, to anyone else, Mario Golf is a truly fantastic title that you must try. It's simple and fun, while still being true to the game of golf.

It's a fantastic follow-up, probably one of the best sequels you'll ever play, one that actually takes the complaints of the first game and improves upon them tenfold.

The A.I., yet again, is guaranteed to cause a few controllers to be flung. While taking part in a group race or any kind, the CPU racers are entirely too dumb. They are wholly dedicated to driving their line no matter what it takes, and will take out a whole pack of racers due to some stupid decisions.

What better experience can you ask for than one that feels the part, plays the part, looks the part, and sounds the part, but the biggest part is that YOU control destiny, and for many power hungry fans, that may be just enough for some to ignore the real life version. NBA 2K12 takes us that one step closer, so you money hungry athletes need to take note and get your act together... or you may be replaced by a simulation.

Being able to play the game with family in the same household may require a bit much (multiple Switch consoles and copies of the game) but when you get it all up and running, it is a great way to spend your time stuck at home. I’ve spent hours with the game every day since launch, and have yet to come close to being exhausted with it, and seemingly never run out of things to do. So, if for some reason you have yet to pick this one up, I’d definitely recommend doing so.

Despite the overall solid control, Rayman 2 still suffers from one of the original problems with 3D games: the erratic camera. Although it manages to keep up pretty well in wide-open areas, enclosed and semi-enclosed ones frequently cause it to misbehave.

I loved being able play the game's short missions on the go, I loved how replayable the levels were with their 3-star ratings, I loved seeing the aesthetic of the original expanded in a whole new way. In short: I loved SteamWorld Heist.

It's such a fantastic game to start off the New Year with, and while I haven't been fully in love with Platinum Games previous efforts, they really knocked this one out of the park for me.

Easily the biggest draw of the expansion is the new Adventure mode. Gone are endless Act III farming runs, replaced now with bounties and Nephalem rifts to explore across all Acts. Adventure mode is entered into separately from the story, and not bogged down by any quest related dialogue or shenanigans.

All in all, Overwatch continues to feel unique regardless of how much time you spend with it, and despite the low number of available modes to participate in. I’m genuinely impressed by what Blizzard has managed to do here, and I think you will be too.

Ubisoft's balance of open world gameplay and FPS action really hits the mark, and overall the game does a fantastic job in providing players with an interesting, immersive gaming experience.

The graphics are quite incredible and makes great use of lighting, using bright, white-washed colors outdoors and dark, dingy ones inside.

The core hook of dying and restarting while progressing just a bit further each time is as solid in Rogue Legacy 2 as it was in the original game. I’d be hard pressed to point out significant differences between the two games, outside of a spruced up presentation and just more content in general, but honestly there wasn’t much to improve on with the original Rogue Legacy, so I can’t really fault the sequel for not deviating too far from the original formula. It’s still a wildly addictive game, and the short bursts of gameplay make it perfect for a few quick rounds, or lengthier play sessions.

The game feels rushed. In spite of its obvious issues and glitches, GRAW is still a fantastic game. The presentation is incredibly realistic, dramatic and intense. The gameplay feels natural and smooth and the controls are very intuitive.

Sadly, I don’t have a Steam Deck. (Note to self: somehow obtain a Steam Deck.) But I do have Rogue Legacy 2, and I can say that even if it’s not portable on the Xbox, it’s still every bit as fun as it was the first time around.

The story aspect actually helps the flow of the game. Instead of just doing random tasks all over the place, you feel more of a purpose and progression for doing those tasks.

If there was some more powerful hardware behind it, some more tweaking done to the control, and a little more variety in the gameplay (capturing monkeys for over 30 something levels can get tedious) it would have made this a definite A game.

Of all the incarnations of the versus series, never before have I had so much fun, said "WHOA!" so many times per match, and been so frustrated as to which characters to pick.

It's easily my favorite in the handheld series at least, and it gives the console Paper Mario titles a run for their money.

It's super addictive, incredibly fun, and comes off as an extremely worthy successor to Trials HD. If you skipped out on the first XBLA entry for whatever reason, then don't miss this one. It's seriously better in every way imaginable, and it manages to exceed my every expectation.

It's a game about getting something out of it that the developers couldn't have planned for, in the same way LittleBigPlanet or other free-roaming or creatively-driven titles do.

Brilliant! No matter what you call the sport, no matter which side of the pond you reside, it can't be denied that this year FIFA 12 is the best game of football around.

Broken Age isn't exactly the same, obviously — or, really, even slightly the same, beyond the genre — but it's proof that Tim Schafer still knows how to make one heck of a game, no matter the era.

With smooth graphics and animations, a true feel for the art of street ball, fantastic controls, and a multiplayer mode that brings out the trash talker in even choirboys make NBA Street a must have for owners of any major console.

Once I made it past that initial stage of astonishment, I made an unfortunate discovery: the single-player game, as designed, just isn't much fun in the long term.

Despite the flagging pace towards the end, the presentation, engine and gameplay in Going Commando is tight as a drum, and Insomniac should be congratulated on a damn good game.

The intensity, excitement, and frantic pacing that FIFA brings to the table mimics the real thing so perfectly, it's hard not to become a fan after just a few scrimmages.

An excellent tennis game, easily the best one out there.

My issues with the game lie within the fact that whilst playing it, I wished I were playing something else. I wanted to play Bioshock for its heavy atmosphere and compelling story, or Mass Effect because I finally appreciate the dialog trees and voice acting. In Fallout 3, most of my decisions could be argued for the inconsequential feeling I associated with them. That's never a good thing, so it either means Fallout 3 wasn't my particular cup of tea or that it is actually that boring at times.

All in all, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is a massive improvement over the original, boasting two full-length story modes with multiple endings for you to go through and explore. Combined with a new bunch of demons, new music, new mechanics, and much more, this is absolutely the definitive way to play this game. Other than some minor level scaling problems that still remain from the base game, it is a phenomenal RPG that encourages multiple playthroughs with plenty of unique build variety as vast as the player is willing to look. I genuinely cannot possibly recommend Vengeance enough to fans of turn-based RPGs, or even fans of Persona that may still not be versed in what SMT has to offer differently. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance releases for all major platforms on June 13th, and is well worth your money. Give it a shot, and I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Regardless of whether you want to play with someone else in-person or online, Split Fiction is well worth your time. It’s an excellent co-op adventure, and it’s easy to imagine the game garnering the same kind of following – and accolades – as It Takes Two.

Still, the occasional bug aside, I absolutely loved Spider-Man 2, and I’m happy to see that Insomniac continues to knock it out of the park with this series. Miles has been a great addition to the Spider-Man universe overall, and if you loved Miles Morales: Spider-Man, I think you’ll be really happy with all the focus he gets in this one as well. While the limelight is sort of shared evenly throughout the game between Peter and Miles, it’s hard not to continuously root for Miles as a character, and he becomes even more central to the overall storyline here in a way that feels pretty impactful overall. So if you’ve been looking forward to the upcoming release of Spider-Man 2, then you can rest assured that you’ve got an excellent Spidey game to look forward to in the near future.

The good parts of ESPN far outweigh the bad and combine to make one of the most satisfying and challenging sports games ever. It's such a steal you might want to wear a ski mask to the store – just in case.

The fielding is great in the infield and a nightmare in the outfield.

If you don't mind Murphy's slightly handicapped functionality on ports of Rayman Legends, then the only deciding factors are what bonus costumes you care about, and whether you do or don't have a PS4.

While many of the modes are just new paint jobs, the Road to the Show mode and co-op play are two features that have been addressed and done very well.

The difficulty ramps up perfectly, and the game does not rely on a typical lives/continues system.

A bigger problem on the visual side is the framerate. A lot of the time the game is running at 60 fps. But depending on the level, there can be considerable slowdown...Other than it being short and containing a few minor problems, it's an excellent launch title that is extremely fun to play.

This game is all around faster (than "Madden 2001") which makes the controls feel even tighter.

This game is “near” flawless.

An amazingly well put together role playing adventure that is easily one of the first candidates for game of the year.

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.

The responsive control and challenging AI make it a complete basketball experience.

I feel UT is the more polished title, even though "Quake (3 Arena)" may have it beaten on a creativity level. I'm sure I'll return to my "Quake" world in the future, but honestly you can't go wrong with either title.

On the most critical point, however, Velocity 2X hasn't changed: it's still an awesome game, and it's still absolutely worth your time. Half of it may be borrowed from Futurlab's previous game, but half of it isn't, and those two halves add up to make one heck of an experience.

If you have yet to play Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride, I’d urge you to check out the iOS version of the game. It’s not quite worth the jump if you already own it on DS, but it’s a cheaper alternative here than picking up a used physical copy of the game second-hand nowadays.

There's lots to do, with at least 15 hours of core content for those sticking to the main plot, and more importantly for the next expansion, a bar has been set for what players could expect.

The new and improved Pinball FX app delivers a great pinball experience without costing you an arm and a leg. Not all of your old tables will work with the new app, but the ones that do offer an almost brand new feel with the graphic overhaul and fine tuning to the physics. Combine that with the new challenge modes and great multiplayer options and you have yourself a great package for pinball fans and casual players alike. As a huge pinball fan, you owe it to yourself to give Pinball FX3 a try, you won’t be disappointed!

I’d highly recommend checking out Cocoon when you get a chance. I loved my time with it, and the ambient synth soundtrack is absolutely fantastic, and helps really sell the look and feel of the world. Absolutely give it a shot, you won’t be disappointed.

As a complete package, Castlevania Dominus Collection is definitely worth playing. I’ve played on both PC and Switch without any noticeable issues, and I’d imagine most platforms will fare the same. Switch may win out a bit due to the option to actually use touchscreen controls, but I wouldn’t call it a requirement to enjoy these games. All three of the original DS games hold up extremely well, and M2’s track record with excellent classic ports remains intact here. Absolutely pick this up when you get a chance, you won’t be disappointed.

The simple yet addictive gameplay, amazing and strategic boss battles, and wonderful sense of style make it a keeper and a must have for any Xbox owner.

Download it right away, and get ready to be wowed.

For the hardcore fan, the new additions are more than worth the price of admission whether you are utilizing batting practice, adjusting your now expanded roster, or just enjoying new graphical touches such as post game highlight reels. MLB 09 The Show is a significant improvement over last years fantastic effort, and I can just wonder what the boys have up their sleeves for next season. I'm sure it'll be a hit.

If you have any love or affinity for NES-era gaming, you’ll find Shovel Knight is an experience worth having.

It’s a stellar sequel to a game that I already loved, and well worth checking out whether you pick up a stand-alone copy or download it via Game Pass. If you have any affinity for platformers or action-adventure style games in the same vein, then you really owe it to yourself to check out Ori and the Will of the Wisps.

The fielding is great in the infield and a nightmare in the outfield.