The framerate and action more than makes up for the slightly less than average graphics. This is a title that no self-respecting N64 owner should pass up. Nintendo has created the first true N64 classic since Mario 64.

A masterful game. It is a game with non-stop action and can be pretty tough at times. All of this is combined with just enough of a brainwork requirement to make this game more interactive, hence more enjoyable.

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.

The love of Rick and Morty, Gundam, and old school cartoons/comics is evident, and Romeo is a Dead Man is proof that you can be inspired by a variety of mediums and your creativity can still show it in an all-new way. From DeadMan’s design to the wild supporting cast, there is so much to love about the game and all I want next is for DeadMan to meet up with Travis to save the world and time together. I’m all in.

Overall Final Fantasy XVI is one of the best entries in the series. While I do prefer my turn-based games, IX being my favorite, this entry is a fantastic entry into the series. Very few games are able to pull me into its story like this one did. Some of the plot points I saw coming, many of them I did not. Graphically this game is visually stunning, no matter the platform. The soundtrack for the game is also one of the best they have done. Nobuo Uematsu did an amazing job getting the series started with his music and Masayoshi Soken has done a masterful job making this soundtrack his own. If you are a fan of action games, high fantasy, great music, any or all of the above, you owe it to yourself not to miss Final Fantasy XVI.

It’s hard to explain the joy that a good puzzle game brings, and I want to take this game outside with a projector and just play it on my garage door and see if anyone driving by my house wants to join. When I was in college, I spent a weekend with a friend of mine in his dorm playing Tetris Attack until 6 in the morning, and it was an amazing time. I feel like Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 is almost the same caliber. I still prefer Tetris Attack, but when playing with a couple of friends locally, the screams of happiness and smiles on their faces while playing Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S is well worth the asking price.

As long as you know how to spell, you can play Birdigo – but if you want to really be challenged in your vocabulary (and in your ability to maximize the power of your deck, à la StS or Balatro), you need to dig deep into your brain and plan things out. Birdigo definitely isn’t going to be for everyone, but it’s unquestionably made for someone like me.

While it is an older title, I’m still surprised at the quality and general smoothness of Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage on the Switch 2. It plays incredibly well, the online is generally smooth, and runs pretty great. SEGA definitely took some care with this port and it shows. Between the ability to use handheld mode, arcade sticks if you get compatible models, and the ease of portability of the console itself, this might be the best way to play VF5 currently. Whether you’re a returning vet or looking to start with Virtua Fighter ahead of future releases, you probably won’t find a better option.

All in all, Ghost of Tsushima is an incredible package for $60 and well worth your time if you have even a moderate-strength PC. I have zero doubt about you finding some sort of combination of settings to make the game run as smoothly as you’d like. Incredible ups to Nixxes and Sony for this port.

All in all, Cat Quest III is simply fantastic. It’s got a vibrant world, fun action, a solid story, and, of course, pirate cats, all wrapped together in a package that should entice anyone.

It’s what The Chinese Room does best. Still Wakes the Deep is exactly the kind of game that made the studio well-known in the first place, and it shows that even after a few years away from the genre, they’re still the masters of it.

Featuring unparalleled 3D environments, a deep and involved quest, brilliant and intuitive play controls, and a well-developed cinematic quality that enhances rather than overwhelms the whole game experience, Miyamoto's latest soon-to-be-classic title deserves to be played by each and every person who might deign to consider themselves a fan of great games.

Does Princess Peach: Showtime! reach the level of, say, Super Mario Bros. Wonder? Probably not. But it’s certainly on par with any of the solo Luigi or Yoshi outings we’ve had. Here’s hoping that we don’t have to wait another two decades for Peach to get another starring role, because this one is well worth your time.

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is a perfect example of taking a classic title, expanding on it just enough to not ruin the legacy, and making a fantastic game. While it is a little short with only six stages, it will give you enough challenge and replay value to keep you coming back for a long while. NasumeAtari and ININ Games really knocked this one out of the park. I cannot recommend this title enough, download this one as soon as you are able to, you will not be disappointed.

I’m still skeptical of the remake and I am a purist when it comes to the original Final Fantasy games, and my favorites of the series are turn based. Would I have liked to see Final Fantasy VII Remake be a full turn-based game? Yes. I’m not going to allow that to Cloud my opinion on if this is a good game by itself. The answer to that question is a solid yes. This is a great game. The next chapter in the Final Fantasy VII remake saga, Rebirth is coming to Switch 2 and Xbox, hopefully later this year. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade has convinced me to give them all a shot, and I highly recommend that you do too.

Pokémon Pokopia is a genuine treat and I cannot recommend it enough. Whether you’re a fan of the Pokémon franchise in its usual form looking for something new, a fan of the almost life-simulation style of games, or just a creative looking for a sandbox to let you go absolutely crazy with, Pokopia has something for you. It’s great for all ages too so anybody can pick up and play it without any issues. With the last couple releases of the mainline Pokémon series being some stinkers, we’re reminded that Pokémon can be nothing short of fantastic with the right bells and whistles and the time it needs to cook. If you’re looking for something new to play as we enter this spring season, this might just be the perfect game to consider.

Ninja Gaiden II Black is absolutely the definitive way to play the classic and challenging title. With the stigma of how Unreal Engine 5 can treat modern releases, it is outstanding to see a game utilize the technology to recreate something lots of people have fond memories of that runs seemingly flawlessly. With availability on all modern platforms and the inclusion of its release on Xbox Game Pass, everybody has the chance to play it. Other than the camera still being quite whack, it’s a genuine must-play, especially if you’ve never had the chance before now.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is everything I’d hoped for in a follow-up to the second game, so seeing it realized so well is nothing short of fantastic. With excellent characters, a decent story, an enjoyable gameplay loop with as much grinding as you want there to be, and a really gorgeous appearance and world, it’s a genuine must play for fans of turn-based RPGs. In a year of Capcom releasing some of the most exciting titles, Monster Hunter yet again stands out with Stories 3. I’d say it’s a treat to play through, but it’s more like a full course meal you can’t get enough of. Whether you’re a fan of Monster Hunter or RPGs, you’re doing yourself a disservice by not playing.

Black Ops 6 is a stellar entry to the Call of Duty franchise, and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s coming in future seasons. I’ve had a ton of fun playing multiplayer and zombies with my friends, as well as running through the campaign. If this is how the expectation of quality is set for how the series should continue, then consider me hopeful for the future.

The world is well-imagined and the aesthetics are perfection, but the fact they’re all built around an absurdly fun first-person shooter makes this a game you absolutely need to play.

As criticisms go, that’s hardly a terrible one: saying that a game gives you freedom to play it as you want to is probably something more games should aspire to. That The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom gives you all that freedom without ever feeling unfocused or overwhelming is evidence that it lives up to its iconic lineage.

Parasite Eve has been one of the only RPGs since Final Fantasy 7 to genuinely deserve any kind of hype, or at least anticipation.

If Time Recoil truly represents 10tons’ Vita swansong — and they’re currently saying it is — then they’ve picked one heck of a high note to go out on. As far as I’m concerned, Time Recoil is the very best twin-stick shooter the handheld has to offer, and it’s well-worth checking out.

Overall, I think “Atlas Mugged” is a better episode than the first, and has enough story related hooks to keep me intrigued for whatever might happen in episode 3. The story-to-action ratio is a bit more balanced here, the jokes are certainly improved, and the inclusion of a number of recognizable Borderlands characters provide ample reasons to revisit Telltale’s interpretation of Pandora.

Everything from the visuals, audio, and presentation have been bumped up a notch to a level that would make any fan who has turned their heads for the last 3 years take notice.

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.

Retro Goal is just a really fun game all-around. It captures not just the spirit of the sport it’s trying to emulate, but also the essence of what makes a great soccer game. It may not look like the new standard for soccer games on the Switch, but if you pick it up, you’ll soon find it makes a very convincing argument.

The Walking Dead Episode 2 is something that begs to be talked about once it's finished, and not beforehand, which makes writing this review a little challenging. If the first episode didn't convince you enough that the series is worth continuing, than I'm not sure that episode 2 really does much differently to make you think otherwise.

When this game clicks — and make no mistake, it clicks pretty often — it's a thing of beauty to behold.

Still fun, despite its age, and despite the fact these games aren’t being played the way they were probably originally intended. This year’s version faces an obstacle that could’ve killed it — since the whole point of party games is to play them at a party — but it’s come out as strong as ever.

Even if you aren't interested in the online portion, Activision and Neversoft have still nailed down another extremely solid sequel to the Tony Hawk franchise.

All in all, I’ve really enjoyed my time with Persona 5 Strikers. I’ve played a whole lot of Dynasty Warriors and spin-off games in that genre, and I would argue that Persona 5 Strikers feels like one of the more unique takes on a Musou game that I’ve ever seen. It really, honestly feels like a full-fledged Persona sequel, in both story and combat, but with a heavier emphasis on action. Combining these two distinct flavors of video game franchises works exceptionally well here, and if you’re into either type of game, you’ll likely find something to love about Persona 5 Strikers.

One of those rare games that can be appreciated by both hardcore and casual fans alike, Final Fantasy XII may very well be Square's last great adventure, and a fitting sendoff, for the PlayStation 2.

This has to be one of my favorite downloadable games to date. With great game play, great co-op, tons of collectibles and a great price, you can't go wrong with Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light.

Even if it’s not lengthy or challenging, Fire Tonight still wins you over on the strength of its personality. The game does an outstanding job of giving Maya and Devin personalities within its limited time, and it’s easy to root for them to achieve their modest goal. Even more importantly, the game looks and sounds incredible, with visuals that scream 1990 without being too obnoxious about it, and an incredible synth-pop score. It’s those things — the great music, the engaging characters, the nice graphics — that make it easy to overlook Fire Tonight’s short length. It’s not the sort of game that will swallow up days and days from your calendar, but if you’re looking for a fun way to spend an hour, Fire Tonight is definitely that.

Instead, I was thinking, "This game is so awesome." That, or silently cursing Curve Studios for making a game that's equal parts insanely addictive and fiendishly difficult. That's a dangerous combination if you ever want to put a game down — though why you'd ever want to put Stealth Inc. down, I don't know.

I particularly enjoyed the unique Mysterious Pushmo puzzles, but the overall package is really top notch work out of Intelligent Systems and Nintendo.

This is the definitive Mortal Kombat title. You have more fatalities, self-fatalities (hara-kiri), stage fatalities, more characters, four deep modes of play, unlockable Krypt items, and online play.

I’d highly suggest Alienation to just about any fan of action games, even more so if you enjoy the Diablo franchise or other, similar top-down shooters.

The additional characters are fun to play with, and revamped difficulty means that more players should be able to get some enjoyment out of the game, without feeling needlessly frustrated with a few annoying aspects.

Trials games have always been all about that feeling of “just one more try…”, and Trials Rising is no different. This is the best game of its type on the Switch, and one that’s sure to get its hooks into you and keep them there.

One of the best handheld games to come out this year. It’s loaded with fresh ideas and new play mechanics.

Not only has control of this environment been handled well, but the smoothness of overall presentation and gameplay seem to reflect an excellence from RTS titles that we should all be looking forward to in the future.

There is so much to like and so little to dislike this year, that if given a chance, I can't see how any true football fan can't find a way to experience Madden football this year and have nothing but a good time.

The delicate mix of three genres has never been pulled off as well as this before.

Telltale’s The Walking Dead has a great conclusion, and I’m happy the team responsible for it was able to see this through to the end. It’s a shame that their original parent company marred the overall experience significantly, but their ability to bounce back under another publisher and deliver to this degree is exceptional. I’m both sad and happy that this is the conclusion of Clementine’s tale, but the character arc is so well delivered, you won’t be disappointed.

While the core gameplay hasn't seen a great deal of change, it's still a tough as hell game about hunting giant monsters after all, there has been enough refinement here that makes for a far more entertaining adventure than the previous selections.

There is so much to like and so little to dislike this year, that if given a chance, I can't see how any true football fan can't find a way to experience Madden football this year and have nothing but a good time.

Twilight Princess HD is one of the best remasters I’ve played.

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.

With Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Demon’s Souls dominating the PS5’s launch lineup this season it would be very easy to overlook Sackboy: A Big Adventure. I’m here to try to make sure that doesn’t happen, as it satisfies that family friendly, co-operative platforming adventure quota, and it’s definitely a colorful, creative and enjoyable next-generation adventure worth taking.

Raw Data is hands down the best shooting experience to come to VR in its life so far. I loved the gameplay in the single player element and can’t get enough of the multiplayer. The inclusion of classes brings a new aspect to the genre and adds replayability, and as long as the developers keep up with new content for the multiplayer and the communities sticks with it this will be the VR game that everyone talks about when bringing up the pros of the technology.

Overall Far Cry Primal successfully uses the Far Cry 4 engine to create something new that is refreshing and original.

A highly addicting and energetic title that is satisfying in single and multiplayer.

The painstaking detail in the architecture is a huge draw in making the game as believable as it is. Everything looks exactly how you would envision it in real life, with hallways, open areas, offices, courtyards, everything modeled correctly.

The game is fun, consistent, accurate and is, in every way, baseball. Over the course of nine innings and several seasons, it's clear that Konami knows baseball better than any other developer.

You'll have a hard time finding an arcade or combat racer that is anywhere close to being able to catch up to WipEout HD and when you factor in the price WipEout HD is in a league of its own.

The world it presents is gorgeous, with some one of the most technically and aesthetically pleasing visuals we've seen thus far. Meanwhile, the revised and expanded battle system injects additional strategy while eliminating the issues that bogged down the previous game.

I thoroughly enjoyed my trek through the games' magical world, and the only thing keeping this title from achieving an A rating is that it shares the common problem with most RPG's today: once it's over, it's over.

If you are opened minded to a non-traditional gaming experience and enjoy horror games and/or movies, I would highly recommend giving Until Dawn a try.

It's one of the better reasons to own the system at this point, and certainly a lot of fun to play.

The single player game is very good, better than most. The multiplayer online experience of Tides of War, though, is nothing short of spectacular.

It’s not the quantity of a game that counts, it’s the quality, and Speed Dating for Ghosts has more than enough of the latter to make up for the relative lack of the former. It’s a relatively unique game, so if you’re in the market for something different, be sure to check it out.

Sucker Punch seems to have found the ideal blend of enjoyable, super power-infused gameplay, stylishly striking visuals, and an open world sandbox setting.

Unmechanical: Extended won't blow too many people away, but I don't think anyone can doubt its heart is in the right place.

It’s meant to be pleasant and cozy, and everything about it – from the folksy characters, to the fiddle music, to the lovely voxel art – is designed to be as warm and upbeat and wholesome as possible. And more often than not, it succeeds at being a pleasant experience. You wouldn’t think a fishing game, of all things, as being cuddly and cozy and inviting – but Moonglow Bay proves that it’s not just possible, it’s also pretty fun.

The opportunity to fight using Star Trek ships is something that all Trekkies should salivate over.

You simply must listen to the game via headphones to truly appreciate the audio. This game in particular makes great use of stereo separation.

Sly 3 manages to take several types of gameplay and present them together in one cohesive package. What Sly 3 lacks in innovation, it makes up in the sheer amount of gameplay that it possesses.

It's often funny, addictive, and surprisingly good to look at, and the wide appeal that this franchise has tacked on with the already wide appeal that LEGO in general has is sure to make this something that fans of either property won't want to pass up.

Tempest 4000 is a fantastic version of a true classic. However, no matter how stunning it looks, or simple it plays it’s definitely not for every gamer out there. Those looking for a legitimate challenge will find it here. Those looking for a deep story or engaging quest will not find anything like that. It’s a simple shooter designed after the tried and true classic Arcade gameplay. Being the Classic Gaming fan that I am, I had an absolute blast playing this, but it might be hard to persuade other gamers to take a look.

It might be hard to tear yourself away from Smash Bros., but Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker makes for an excellent holiday diversion.

It's the most fun I've had on my GameCube so far, with the notable exception of "Animal Crossing."

For everyone that’s already very familiar with Dragon’s Crown, I’d say that Pro feels like a worthy re-release even if it’s a bit light overall on extra features. If you’re starting to wind down with something like God of War right now, Dragon’s Crown Pro could easily be a solid addition to your PS4 library next week.

The fantastic setting and light RPG elements really pull you in, and the customizations, challenging game play and new online multiplayer modes will keep you coming back for more. It's definitely worth it to book a trip back to Rapture.

Dragon's Crown has a lot to offer, from building one of the finest co-op games this generation, to leaving one nagging issue for us critics to nitpick in the lack of cross-play support. It's one of the prettiest games around, the addictive structure of the game compliments how many hours can be sunk in (with friends or on your own), and there's even some PvP stuff for anyone who really wants to put their money where their mouth is. Even the music is charming.

With servers that seem to have held up nicely and a lively community so far, Gran Turismo Sport is a well-rounded new Gran Turismo installment that should keep casual and hardcore fans happy for a while. The daily/weekly grind for vehicles, ranking and miles appear to do a good job in attracting players to revisit the game regularly, which is certainly important for a social gaming experience such as Gran Turismo Sport.

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.

Super Soccer Blast isn’t a particularly deep game. Notwithstanding the existence of a player/team editor, you can’t really control that much. You don’t get to swap in new players (either during or between games) and you can’t change your tactics or formation. What you see what you start up the game is what you get. But that’s what makes Super Soccer Blast so refreshing. It knows what it wants to be — a slightly more modern-looking version of a ‘90s-era soccer game — and it gives players just that.

Unlike a lot of re-releases where you have to say “It was good…for its time”, in this game’s case, you can say “It was good…and it’s still good.” That’s one heck of an accomplishment, and if you haven’t played this game before — or even if you have — it’s definitely worth seeking out.

No Going Back delivers a satisfying conclusion to the season, while still leaving the door open just enough to keep you guessing at what comes next. Your bond to Clementine, and to the new and old characters from this season, feels as strong as ever in the final episode. Just keep in mind that nobody makes it out of Season 2 unscathed.

If you're looking for something that will kick your ass yet keep you coming back for more, look no further than Dark Souls.

The default difficulties are done so well that you'll have to play a lot to even consider going into the slider screen.

The framerate remains solid throughout, and seeing a giant tsunami rip through the world and completely submerge it is very impressive.

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.

It makes the strongest argument yet for bringing over this style of gameplay to the motion control set up, and does a good job of washing out the horrible taste that titles like Red Steel and Far Cry might have left for early Wii adopters.

Having the Baba Yaga myth wrapping it all together ensures that Blacktail takes that well-worn gameplay and gives it a unique spin. It may have flown mostly under the radar so far, but it’s enjoyable enough that it deserves a much wider audience.

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.

The game is fun, consistent, accurate and is, in every way, baseball. Over the course of nine innings and several seasons, it's clear that Konami knows baseball better than any other developer.

If you own an Xbox 360, then here's another essential title for it.

Fall of Cybertron feels like an actual love letter to the series, and puts the right amount of emphasis on individual characters and their traits and mixes that with levels that make use of those particular skills and abilities. It's just a real joy to play, and I'm glad to have in my hands an actual, fun Transformers experience in video game form.

An absolute must-buy to any fan of turn-based strategy or real-time strategy. The mechanics are sound, the atmosphere is spot-on, and the scale of the battles is truly epic.

You'll never get enough of picking up a soldier, watching him flail around, followed by throwing him into a wall. The rag doll physics help add to the diabolical pleasure as limbs fly all over the place when tossed from one part of the room to the other.

If you're a sucker for artsy indie games that tell an interesting story and feature unique gameplay, then you'll certainly love The Unfinished Swan. If you're not quite sure what you're getting in to, than wait for the demo or check out the trailer at the very least. Either way, The Unfinished Swan is a PSN game worthy of your attention.

It's the Angry Birds that, in all likelihood, you've come you know and (hopefully) love, and it's transferred over to the Vita with all the fun intact.

Kudos to Konami for giving us Simpsons fans everywhere finally what we've always wanted.

Another amazing release by Vicarious Visions. One where they have not only gone all out with their effort, but have pushed what we can expect out of the system. It is easily one of the best titles to be released on the system thus far.

Despite not being overjoyed with the cast of the game, there’s little else to complain about with SMT IV. The gameplay mechanics borrow enough from previous entries to feel familiar, but at the same time there’s enough new about the mechanics to make them feel fresh.