G-Darius is classic Arcade shooting action at it’s very best. Combining great gameplay with fantastic visuals and audio, you will have a blast even if you are not that big on horizontal shooters. Fans of the series will be right at home with the gameplay, while new players will get the hang of things very quickly. No matter where you stand, you will find a fun and challenging game that will keep you coming back for more. Out of all of the games in the Darius series, G-Darius might very well be one of the greatest. Other 3D incarnations would come to home consoles over the years, but they don’t come close to the original. It may not be a complete Darius Collection, but it certainly belongs in your library.

Now, I know that some people have criticisms of this game: that it's too silly, or that it's too easy with those superpowers (to say nothing of all the upgrades you can make to your character). But you know what? I don't care. Regardless of what any sticks in the mud may say, as far as I'm concerned Saints Row IV: Re-Elected is just plain awesome in every respect.

Visually Fight Night Round 2 is simply stunning.

There is a new king of survival horror in town, and its name is Dead Space. It's just what the psychologist ordered.

And damn this game can be tough! Even after sinking about a hundred hours into the PSP game I could never complete the whole thing in one sitting. Here I am in the futuristic year of 2018 playing on a Nintendo Switch and I still feel like I need one of my older cousins around to help me beat some of the harder levels. Yeah my age may show more than I’d like, but it’s kind of nice to feel young again.

It's a perfect time waster that doesn't take much in the way of set-up to get into, and the Kinect functionality is really spot on.

A nearly perfect experience. Feel the Pulse.

There is a new king of survival horror in town, and its name is Dead Space. It's just what the psychologist ordered.

It probably goes without saying that this is one of the most gorgeous games to grace a video game console. FFXIII's in-game graphics look like other games' cutscenes. Its cutscenes look like other games' full motion video, and its full motion video looks like a Hollywood blockbuster.

It's a great, 2D experience that harkens back to the popular Metroidvania sub-genre of adventures games, but manages to blaze its own path and stand out as a wholly unique experience. There's certainly little like it on XBLA, and I highly suggest picking it up.

Overall, Mark of the Ninja is a must have title for Xbox 360 owners, and something that any fan of the XBLA service should certainly be checking out. It's honestly a shame that this game wasn't a part of this year's Summer of Arcade promotion for Microsoft, because it's certainly better than just about every title promoted this time around.

It really is hard to imagine how games this good keep getting better and better, but they apparently are finding ways.

Overall, Mortal Kombat 1 is a polished, beautiful work of art that is a remarkably innovative entry into the long running franchise. You can feel the love and care that went into recrafting existing characters in a way I never knew I would love.

All in all, this feels like an excellent port of one of the best PC titles in recent years. If you've missed out on the PC version of the game for whatever reason, do yourself a favor and check this out. And if you're a PC Minecraft veteran, but want to school your console friends on your Minecraft knowledge, then you'll be happy to know that game makes the transition to consoles without a hitch. It's a great port of a great game, and well worth picking up.

Once again, the LocoRoco 2 soundtrack takes center stage for me, with some great tunes scattered about the levels that are only aided by the different noises the LocoRoco and other creatures will make that seem to run in tandem with the music at times.

There is one thing that did stand out at all times: the story, which is undeniably one of the most fun rides you'll ever have in gaming, and one of the most compelling cast of characters to go along with it.

Catherine: Full Body is a remake that adds an enormous amount of value and gives audiences who missed out another opportunity to enjoy this title. It’s accessible to all players regardless of skill level and has a story which is riveting and poignant. For players who have played the original release, now you have an opportunity to take a new branch as well as take on the world to show your climbing skills. One would say this title has definitely aged well and can be considered a fine vintage.

What makes KH 2.8HD enjoyable more than most would expect is how it properly comes full circle with the story. Playing 1.5 and 2.5 leaves many questions that don't get answered until KH3D. This may come as a bit of a shock considering KH3D was a 3DS exclusive prior. Because of that, some fans haven't fully experienced what's out there for Sora and Riku's journey leading up to KH3. As a fan, this was a great way to start the New Year. As a gamer, watching a series like Kingdom Hearts evolve into what's included in this release is what we could hope for in other franchises.

I absolutely loved Pure, and while I've played a fair share of decent off road racers in the past couple years, nothing compares to Pure in my opinion.

This is one of the best 3DS releases this year, and certainly not a title I’d urge any Nintendo, or old-school action/adventure fan to miss.

If you were ever on the fence with trying the original Hades, or thought Supergiant Games couldn’t possibly outdo themselves after the first game, then you owe it to yourself to check out Hades II. This year has been stellar when it comes to great games, and Hades II still manages to stand out from the pack for me. It’s an absolutely fantastic follow-up to the original and one that shouldn’t be missed.

Arkham City is huge, filled with secrets, and if you're a big Batman fan you'll love all the appearances tossed in, both for the good and bad guys. The addition of a New Game Plus mode also provides an astounding amount of replay value, and if you're any kind of completionist, you'll spend dozens of hours exploring the city for every little secret it contains. It's easily one of the best titles I've played all year.

The single player GTAV experience is so fulfilling that I didn’t expect to ever really get involved much with GTA Online. It didn’t take much to suck me in though, and it can be an addictive and fun time waster depending on who you roll with. I’ve spent a fair share of time online, and although it’s been slightly shaky here and there, nearly everything that Rockstar Games has promised is more or less working.

Cruis’n Blast is arcade racing in its absolute best form imaginable, and if you want a racing game that leaves you grinning like an idiot the entire time you’re playing it, I couldn’t recommend it any more highly.

Even if it’s the first Bioshock that still stands out as a milestone in gaming, for me the real high of the series is Bioshock Infinite. Just about everything in the game is perfectly done, and despite the fact it came out seven years ago, it feels as fresh and interesting as it did then. Taken together with the other two games in the series, there’s a pretty good argument to be made that Bioshock: The Collection is one of the must-play games on the Switch (and whatever other system you have).

Combine the new 3D effect and art style with an intriguing look at Layton's history, along with a story that manages to propel the series forward, and you're left with what I believe to be the best in the series so far.

For as long as the adventure lasts, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart does pretty much everything that a Ratchet and Clank fan and PS5 player would hope for. It tells a great story, has trademark humor and quality voice acting, and the pacing and gameplay is always satisfying and enjoyable. If you’re looking for a new PS5 exclusive for the summer, this is it.

The sense of actually taking part in the various missions is second to none and is what truly separates Colony Wars from the rest of the so-called competition... It's easily the best shooting game available on the PlayStation so far.

NBA Street has taken the rock and seriously posterized NBA Jam and EA's own NBA Live 2001 on PS2. NBA Street has beaten down all other basketball games on the market and told their mothers to their faces.

A fantastic and gorgeous “arcade style” rally racing game...that has finally bypassed GT3 in terms of visuals...The best racing game of the year, arcade or otherwise.

It's one of those games that just makes sense on a handheld, and it's a must-have for any Vita owners, whether they're tactical RPG buffs or not.

This is quite possibly my favorite RPG(s) this generation.

It’s been a pleasant trip down memory lane with both Pikmin 1 and 2, and if you’ve never had a chance to experience either game, I’d say they are both highly recommended and stand the test of time quite well. Neither game is particularly long, and while 2 can be challenging at times, both are pretty friendly to new players and work as a solid primer for the upcoming release of Pikmin 4. Definitely check them out when you get a chance, you won’t be disappointed.

Without a doubt, I can recommend GG Xrd Revelator REV 2 to any fighting game fan. If you've played the previous versions of Xrd, there are enough additions and changes that make this upgrade worth it. If you've never played it before, this version is a great starting point. It is an absolute blast to play and even watch, and should not be missed. If you aren't a fighting game fan, I believe this game may just turn those who experience it. Definitely a Winner.

The three games here are tried, tested, and proven, and if you want the best the Jackbox series has to offer, you’d be hard-pressed to come up with anything better.

Rolito's designs really stand out and are a huge part of what makes the game so damn lovable.

If you’ve never experienced Burnout Paradise before — or even if you just want the convenience of having an all-time classic racing game with you everywhere you go — you’re in for a treat with this Remastered version on the Switch. It may be more than a decade old, but time hasn’t diminished it in any way, and it’s still a must-play for anyone who likes a whole lot of destruction in their racing games.

BioShock Remastered is one of gaming’s all-time classics, and whether you’re experiencing Rapture for the first time or simply interested in revisiting it, you’ll be pleased to learn that the Switch version is every bit as solid as its counterparts on other consoles.

It’s a unique, fun, and wildly imaginative take on the roguelike formula that stands out, despite being in the company of other A-class titles within the genre.

All of which is to say: buy Thomas Was Alone. Buy it for yourself. Buy it for your friends. Buy it for random strangers on the street. It's seriously that good.

Just about the only complaint I could think of for the game is that its online multiplayer isn’t well-populated given that it’s not exactly setting the charts alight – but a) it’s fun in single-player, and b) that’s the sort of thing that could be fixed if Sackboy had the popularity it deserves. Do your part to help with that by checking it out, and get a pretty wonderful 3D platformer in the bargain.

Sifu on paper looks like a short title, with it’s five stages you would think it will be a short weekend experience and you will be done. However, it is so packed with content that even though you think you’ve mastered a level, a discovery at a later stage will force you back to an earlier stage. It’s varied arsenal will have you constantly replaying certain sections just to see how different a score you can get (such as the hallway fight in the first level which encapsulates the feeling of a certain fight scene from the movie Old Boy). I read somewhere that the devs wanted action sequences to feel like a Jackie Chan movie, and given what I’ve seen they’ve definitely nailed it. Although most players’ experiences will at first look like the credits of a Jackie Chan movie, through persistence and patience, their encounters will start to look like the final cut of the film.

Outside of the vast amount of content, another big feather in Forza Horizon 2’s cap is how damn beautiful this world looks. Draw distance is incredible, environment pop-in is kept to a minimum, and the weather effects are stunning. Driving haphazardly through fields at night in the rain is a sight to see, and there’s nary a technical hiccup to be found.

I really don’t have any gripes with Resident Evil 7. The story hooked me, it’s beautiful to look at, and the gameplay is new and refreshing with sprinkles of homage to franchise signatures… whats not to like?

Spy Chameleon's gameplay seems tailor-made for the Vita. Not only are the levels short and contained enough that they translate perfectly to on-the-go gaming, the controls are as intuitive as can be, and everything just runs smoothly. On top of that, it looks fantastic.

If you’re in the mood for some retro-infused 2D ninja action, Cyber Shadow is highly recommended. It’s a really enjoyable experience, with an absolutely fantastic soundtrack, and certainly worth checking out on any available platform.

The best way to enjoy this game online is to forgo rank matches, find a few real life friends that have the game and a few online people that share your interests and play with them.

The story is exciting and fun, plus the characters are very memorable. Dragon Quest VIII is a must-have for JRPG fans and should earn a permanent place on your HOME screen.

If you’re a Nintendo Switch Owner there’s no real reason for you to not download this title. It’s already a Game of the Year Contender.

Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 and 2 is easily one of the best remasters available on the market today and does an excellent job of retaining the spirit and feel of the PlayStation era classics while adding on new features, music, and other options to propel these two entries into the modern era. The gameplay is still timeless and is sure to capture the attention of a whole new era of skateboarding fans that might not have grown up on the Tony Hawk series to begin with. Here’s hoping Activision and Vicarious Visions have plans for additional releases, as there are still more excellent entries in the franchise that are worth revisiting, especially if done so with the level of care and attention to detail that is present here.

There's some serious challenge to the game if you take the time to find it, and that holds true with the 3DS version as well. Also, the game is well suited to portable play, as each mission only takes about 5 to 10 minutes to complete.

One of the most amazing aspects of this game is how the world responds to your actions. It is very open ended, and the decisions that you make during the course of your adventures directly affect the outcome of the entire game... One of the greatest RPGs that I have played thus far.

Picross DS has me captivated. Ever since I received it I can’t put it down. I’ve played it every night before bed.

If you're looking for a futuristic racer that'll get your pulse pounding, Air Race Speed will do the trick. The vehicles are sleek little spaceships that extremely handle well, the courses are challenging without being impossible, and the whole time trial/star rating thing means that, particularly on the Vita, it lends itself perfectly to replayability. In isolation, each of these things would be great; taken together, they make for a genuinely fun game.

In other words, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a game that’s an absolute joy to play. Exploring these worlds, slicing through enemies, customizing how Cal looks, uncovering the game’s lore: it’s all done perfectly here, in a way that should appeal to anyone, regardless of their familiarity with Star Wars itself (though being a fan probably helps). There are minor flaws, to be sure, but they’re so minor, they feel like nitpicking. In a year that’s already featured some outstanding games, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor still manages to stand out.

With enhanced anti-aliased visuals running at 60 fps and 1080p, both games on the PlayStation 3 look about as fantastic as you would expect them to when making the transition from a 480x272 pixel portable screen.

At this point, there’s not much I can say about Super Mega Baseball 4 that I didn’t already say about Super Mega Baseballs 1, 2, and 3: like its predecessors, it’s an outstanding baseball game that’s a lot more fun to play than the annualized PlayStation flagship MLB game. Any worries that a higher profile or a bigger budget would hurt the game are unfounded. In fact, four games in, this might just be the best Super Mega Baseball game yet.

It’s a well-crafted Halo experience with enough new bells and whistles to turn around even the most jaded Halo fan, and feels exactly like what you’d want a next-gen Halo game to be. There’s a hefty amount of content to explore here across the campaign and multiplayer modes, with a large map variety at launch and an enjoyable story to uncover. And it all looks and sounds absolutely gorgeous, with fantastic enemy and map designs on top of the excellent technical groundwork behind it all.

The fact that the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater franchise has withstood the test of time is a testament to the care that Neversoft put into the original game over two decades ago. If you’re a veteran skater or just someone looking for a fun skating experience and have access to a next-generation console most certainly consider checking out Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2.

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.

It’s very easy to see that the team wanted to make a Fire Emblem game that would redefine what the series has been without changing the strategy parts and the result is something very special. If you ever had any interest in the series then Fire Emblem Three Houses is one you must play!

Regardless of what you want out of a soccer game, FIFA continues to deliver an incredible, all-around experience.

To say that this is the best career mode for a boxing game to date would be an understatement.

Without a doubt the finest football gaming experience on the DC - and as a football game compares favourably with EA's Madden series. DC owners should run, not walk, to check out NFL 2K2 immediately.

Marvel’s Spider-Man is truly spectacular.

If you have a PlayStation Vita, and whether or not it's gathering dust right now, you owe yourself a copy of LittleBigPlanet PS Vita. It's not only a great LittleBigPlanet game and a great Vita game, it's a great game, period.

Really, everything about Ghostwire: Tokyo is amazing, and it makes me glad I own a PS5. There aren’t many games just justify going out and buying a system for, but you could make a pretty convincing argument that this is one of them.

The complete package, and I believe it’s the best game on the PS2. The gameplay is gripping and the story is so good, my wife wouldn’t let me play through the end of the game without her present.

It is true that some players may feel that making any progress is far too difficult, I felt the same way when I began playing, but trust me this is not a game you want to skip. Don't be scared to try it, Bloodborne is a wonderful addition to the PS4 library and I cannot recommend it enough.

While it’s not the longest game, I feel VR games shouldn’t be too long due to eye strain and fatigue. I found myself not wanting to stop playing which says a lot for a VR title. Highly recommended especially on PlayStation VR2.

Kojima wrapped everything up in a nice little bow and gave it to us as a parting gift. Your questions get answered, your heartstrings get pulled, your mind gets blown, and you finally get the closure you've spent the last two decades earning.

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.

It looks great, it sounds great and it plays great. It is, quite simply, just a great game, and a must-have for Vita owners.

All in all, I think Super Meat Boy Forever is a really great follow-up to the original game by Team Meat, but also understand that the auto-run mechanic may take some getting used to. If you’re willing to spend more than an hour with it, running through a handful of early stages and tackling the first boss encounter, I think you’ll start to feel the rhythm of the game, and come to appreciate the puzzle approach to the way the level chunks are designed. It’s a really satisfying experience and one that shouldn’t be missed in the post-holiday game release slump.

Under Night IN-Birth Exe:Late may have a confusing name, but it is an awesome fighter that deserves your time.

Batman has had many games over the years, mostly trash and a few quite memorable. Telltale Games has knocked it out of the park, and if episode one is any indication, I see a solid contender for Game of the Year right here.

The PC port for Monster Hunter Rise is the definitive way to experience this game. I am excited to see where the franchise goes from here, although I will find it hard to slide back into any Monster Hunter game without the new traversal and streamlined elements. Whether you want to hunt alone or play with your friends, play “Fashion Hunter” or experience the main quests, there is something for everyone in Monster Hunter Rise.

You get 5 outstanding games that give you a little bit of everything, action, story, puzzles, multiplayer, and just flat out addictive content. If you own a decent PC, a 360 or a PS3...you would be doing yourself, gamers, and the wonderful developers a great injustice by not buying The Orange Box. Not only is it possibly the best bargain in gaming history, but arguably the best FPS experience of all time.

To anyone wondering if you should pick up Persona 3 Reload, it is absolutely my most anticipated game of this year, and it’s releasing at the start of February. Granted, again, I do love the original, but still. Reload is a phenomenal game, one of the best JRPGs I’ve ever played, and an absolute joy. Every minute I put into it I was having a blast. It is a culmination of everything ATLUS has learned over their decades of game development, and yet another excellent addition to their list of incredible games. ATLUS proves once again why they’re such a titan in the industry, and I sincerely hope as many people pick this up as possible. You will not be disappointed!

It’s a fantastic entry for the franchise, and it certainly has helped to reinvigorate my interest in the character going forward.

The game plays wonderfully -almost to a literal pick-up-and-play extent.

Bravo to the developers for taking the feedback and helping make the game more accessible. There's a ton to like about this game and I hope more people will hear about it and give it a try.

Here’s how much I love holedown: even though it’s arrived on the Switch at a substantial markup ($10, compared to around $4-5 on iOS and Android), it still feels worth it. I’ve spent the last few days doing nothing but playing this game, and seeing it flash across my mind when I’m not. If that’s not the definition of a great game, I don’t know what is.

Whether you were a fan of SteamWorld Dig or not, I think you’ll find that Heist offers up a considerable departure from the previous game, along with a much lengthier and challenging campaign.

From the huge open mountain to the convincing radio station to the numerous events, this is one cool experience.

Please Don’t Touch Anything is a challenge. But it’s a challenge worth taking, and it’s proof that just because a game’s scope seems limited, appearances can be very deceiving.

Borderlands 2 is instantly one of the best games the Vita has to offer, and a sign that maybe, just maybe, those initial promises of it being a portable console in your pocket weren't that far from reality.

I absolutely adore Forza Horizon 5, and while it’s possible to fault it as being a bit more of the same when compared to Forza Horizon 4, I’m not sure that’s actually a bad thing. It’s a more polished experience overall, and while it may be playing it safe just a tad, it’s hard to deny that the game is a technical marvel, and a fantastic show piece for Xbox Series X and 4K displays everywhere. Even if you opt to play in performance mode to hit that sweet 60fps spot, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with how great everything looks in motion. So yes, if you’re not already convinced, do yourself a favor and check out Forza Horizon 5 when it launches this week.

If one thing can be said about what EA has accomplished this year it is that they have taken their efforts seriously and have delivered the most realistic playing version of the pigskin classic that gamers have ever witnessed.

Of course, they probably don't want words like "charming" or "lovely" thrown around when describing a game that is, ultimately, supposed to be horror-ish, albeit in the absolute loosest sense of that term. But I don't care: I've fallen for Poltergeist: A Pixelated Horror hard, and I'm not afraid to say that it's charmed the pants off me. Give it a chance, and I have no doubt it will do the same for you.

If I had more time to play through Chained Echoes before the holidays hit, it most definitely would have made my top 10 list for the year of 2022. It’s every bit as stellar as you’ve likely heard so far, and something that is certainly worth checking out regardless of your platform preference. I’ve found it to be a perfect Switch experience, but I’d imagine that it runs extremely well on any console you might choose, and right now it’s freely available to play on Xbox via Game Pass. So definitely check out Chained Echoes, you will not be disappointed.

The fighting is simple enough for anyone to pick up and check out, whether they've played a Street Fighter game in the past decade, or are new to fighters in general. At the same time, there's enough options here to keep high level players interested and entertained, and a diverse enough roster of characters to keep the action from being mundane and boring. Tie that to a multiplayer system that works really well, with the occasional lag issues of course, and you've got what amounts to the best fighter on the Wii at this moment in time.

Easily one of the best games I've played this year, and while it's definitely early in the year to start calling out the GOTY, Child of Eden is certainly in the running.

The puzzles may be simple and sometimes repetitive, but if you enjoy solving puzzles, can appreciate the colorful canvas-like design, and have an open mind for classic point and click gaming with a bit of retro and modern elements, I would say check out Broken Sword 5.

To me, the biggest perk Astro Bot has was being able to see my son play and love his time with it so much. He was engulfed in the world immediately and finished the story before I did. He also compared it to Mario Odyssey, which he shares the same love of it as I do. This was a game that continued the Father/Son bonding we have been building in gaming and even came to my rescue on one those difficult challenge levels I mentioned above. Despite the ease of picking the game up, mastering platforming is a whole other challenge and my son was up to the challenge. Seeing him finish the levels I spent 20 minutes trying to pass is one of the coolest nerd dad moments I have had. In short, I cannot boast about this game enough and plan to chat more about it on Pressed For Time in the near future, so stand by. Astro Bot is well worth the price of admission and will be a great gaming option for all ages with the Holidays coming up quickly.

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

There's no two ways about it folks: NBA 2K2 is the best-playing basketball game on the planet.

It may depress you, and it may leave you with tears in your eyes afterwards, but when a game tells a story as well as What Remains of Edith Finch does here, it deserves not just to be played, but to be remembered and discussed and considered long after you've set down the controller.