When you set aside the horrible audio and the poor graphics a pretty good wrestling game lies beneath.

The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing: Final Cut is an outstanding action role-playing game. It sets itself apart. The significant amount of content, and the entertainment value, makes for a game that will eat away hours. With a near-endless supply of quests to complete, monsters to slay, and loot to collect, the adventure to Borgovia shouldn't be missed.

PHOGS! is a great two-player co-op puzzle game with just enough floppiness to make executing the solutions challenging. Never frustrating but always satisfying, PHOGS! is a solid choice for kids or adults. Gorgeous storybook art and fantastic music keep PHOGS! warm and fun, and a simple control design makes the game accessible to a wide range of audiences. Clever, charming, and fun.

Ultimately Hitman: Blood Money Reprisal is an 18 year old game that feels optimized for mobile, but yeah, also lands on the Switch. There are some decent quality of life upgrades but the visuals show their age. The story and missions stay true to form in what was always one of the best Hitman narratives. I expect a little more on the Switch and while this might seem a more premium experience on something like an iPad it doesn't quite hit that same height on Nintendo's console. It is still a good game, and is a cool throwback to a really accomplished peak in gaming's past.

Shadows may not reinvent Assassin's Creed, but it's still a fun game and another great entry in the series. Exploration in this beautiful locale is great. But for those who are tired of the Assassin's Creed formula, this one isn't going to change your mind.

Rochard is a breath of fresh air for the PlayStation Network and the gaming industry as a whole. It is an original ideal filled with great puzzles and an entertaining sense of humor.

While not as challenging or involved as the best games from either series, this is still a crossover fans of both Wright and Layton don't want to pass up.

CastleStorm is insanely addictive and a ton of fun.

King of Fighters XV delivers an excellent fighting game that will appeal to beginners and pros alike. Instantly accessible, the training tools will allow players to go as deep as they like on learning mechanics. Beautiful and deliriously fun - if every game in the series has been as good as this one, I've been missing out.

Like it or not, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is the penultimate version of the game available. The gameplay has been refined, the roster is bigger and even more diverse than before, and everything else has been tightened and streamlined for online play. If you are a fan of the series, this is the version that you must own.

We now live in a world where we have a brand new TMNT game, and the granddaddy of them all, with 12 of his other children. Between the Gallery, the enhancements, the different types of games, and online play, you can't beat the $40 price tag. These games will keep you busy and give you a history lesson at the same time. There's no reason to skip this collection. Konami did us proud, so go get it and play it with everyone. Your childhood deserves it.

Baddest of the Bands takes on an ‘80s hair-band schlock as the sense of humor grows even slightly less predictable than its preceding episodes. Its take on reality TV-based competitions, however, isn’t the most timeless theme, but the chuckles don’t suffer from it.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure is an audio-visual feast, a living work of art that continuously delights and amazes players with its bottomless well of creativity. Some pacing issues can't do much to detract from the amazing level design, tight platforming, and astounding soundtrack. Sackboy is a pure delight.

Ion Fury made me feel like a kid again and it's not just nostalgia that makes the game great. The is classic run and gun FPS action at it's purest and despite running on 20 year old tech, it's still a hell of a lot of fun and is one of my favorite games of 2019 so far.

Those expecting a huge departure in Sam & Max Episode 2 will certainly be disappointed. Situation Comedy is more of the same. The same great writing, the same great acting, the same great mystery and the same great characters.

I had great hopes for this game, just like I had for the original title. Square Enix addressed nearly every issue from the previous title and delivered in a huge way. With a non-linear world, plenty of side quests, puzzles, and much more, Final Fantasy XIII-2 adds yet another smash hit to the RPG powerhouse.

Lego Harry Potter is a massive blast from start to finish... and I mean that in every sense possible. Not only is the game a lot of fun but there is a ton to do which will keep you, and hopefully a friend, coming back again and again.

All in all it's been a great run, and while this ending is not the best game in the series, it's still a fun game that concludes one exciting season.

An evolution of the Tropico 3 engine, Absolute Power takes a good game and makes it better. While situations are often played for laughs there is a serious simulation in here and the new features show more of it. Definitely worth the purchase price for fans of the original.

If you looking for a reason to hop back into Nier: Automata, 3C3C1D119440927 is a great reason to do so. Even if you aren't leveled high enough to complete all of the challenges, there is nothing wrong about going around the world and grinding yourself up to finish them.

When I first started up Killing Floor 2 I had no idea what to expect. The game looked like a very grim, zombie-killing game. What it actually was - a ridiculously impressive and immersive strategy game… that was very grim. There are a few technicalities, but overall there is nothing out there that gives you such a feeling of fight-or-flight – while at the same time – giving you a giant adrenaline rush from decimating mass amounts of baddies. And I can tell you after some 25 hours… it doesn’t go away.

Kaya's Prophecy is a simple and short deck builder game, with fun tribal village theming that moves the story along. This game isn't for the intensive gamer, but rather for a quick and frivolous break from life. Uncomplicated and silly, Kaya's Prophecy would make a great introductory game for anyone who wants to learn more about this particular style of gaming.

Chips 'n Clawz vs. The Brainioids has big ideas for the strategy genre, but it doesn't quite pull it off. I still think it's worth playing if you're interested in an easily digestible, save-the-world-from-aliens strategy romp.

Once Upon a Katamari is a love letter to all the other games, for a game that doesn't always love you back. If there's ever been a time you wanted to shut a king up, it's here. There's still a sprinkle of happiness to roll over any and everything, but my Katamari may be getting a little flat.

Mirror's Edge is a lot of things, but it's certainly not boring.

Resident Evil 4 is still one of the best games ever made, but less-than-ideal mouse and keyboard controls and a barely noticeable texture upgrade keep this PC port from being the ultimate version of this masterpiece that it could have been.

It may be short, but Sam & Max episode 203 is definitely worth your time and money!

The more logical subject matter and double the screen room resulted in a solid game, filled with Metroid homage and tight pinball mechanics.

F.E.A.R 2 is a great game to experience, but repetitive gameplay keeps it from achieving classic status.

Black starts out as one of the most promising and fun games of recent memory, only to let us down with a thin story line and so-so game play.

Even if you're too young to remember the original Ghostbusters movie, there's enough action, comedy and drama in this spectacular 3D adventure to warrant a look.

Retro City Rampage works as an always funny parody of Grand Theft Auto and classic games. But it's much more than that. There's some devilishly clever content here, including a solid action game with consistently humorous writing. Not every joke lands, but the experience is so dense with ridiculous fun that it's impossible to imagine somebody not having a good time with Retro City Rampage!

Fire Pro Wrestling World brings back everything that was great about Fire Pro R and expands upon it to give fans the definitive Fire Pro experience. Don't let the graphics scare you away, this is one of the most fun and most in depth professional wrestling games around today that any fans of professional wrestling, no matter what promotion you enjoy watching, can enjoy.

Olli Olli is an impressive effort that is only hampered by a few bugs. But if you can look past them you'll find one of the best games on the Vita.

Fans of CivBE will want to pick this one up. While nothing groundbreaking has been added, the new features flesh out some gameplay from the original, and add the new frontier of aquatic colonization. Perhaps a little heavy on the micromanagement, the overall pace of the game retains that “one more turn” quality.

A solid first-person shooter that tries out a few new ideas and offers a compelling single-player story. But now that the shock and amazement of finally getting to play it has warn off we're left with a game that is a lot of fun ... but probably not worth the decade-long wait.

Be aware, however, that OutRun2 is very loyal to its ancestry, so if you’re expecting all the latest bells and whistles in a console racer, you will be disappointed.

Shooty Fruity’s silly name belies the truth behind the title. nDreams has provided an experience that should be in the top tier of VR games. An excellent arcade shooter with a wide variety of missions and unlocks, Shooty Fruity elevates a simple concept with quality gunplay, a fun environment, and coat after coat of polish. As many shooters as there are in the VR space, very few are as flat out frantic and entertaining as this.

While not a high water mark for pinball games, Zen Pinball 3D delivers on every one of its promises. This seven dollar 3DS game features four exciting stages, online leaderboards and an achievement system that will keep you coming back for more.

The game's tremendous art design, graphics, voice acting, and plot are really dragged down by the lack of decent puzzles in the game.

Faulty game mechanics and disappointing maps, combat scenarios and storyline direction aside, Dragon Age II still has a surprising amount of intrigue hidden beneath the blemishes. The depth of character relationships, as well as the complex nature of the world of the Dragon Age franchise are a savior to a game that would otherwise forever be remembered by its mistakes.

Resident Evil 3 may not be as good as Resident Evil 2 but It's still a fantastic game. I would say, so far, it's one of the best games of the year. I really want Capcom to continue with this series of remakes. Hopefully we can get a remake of Code Veronica because that's really the one Resident Evil game that needs a remake the most as it's pretty much unplayable today.

An RTS/boardgame hybrid that's worth your $10, if you're into resource management. Although for the same price, you can get a new copy of Hail to the Chimp...

There’s still a lot of work to be done before the Wii has a truly excellent wrestling game, but the semi-natural controls, competent graphics and breadth of gameplay in WW Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 make it a good choice if you’re a Wii-only person.

Take the tower defense genre, fold it back onto itself, slap it with Command & Conquer and you'll get Anomaly: Warzone Earth. What you get with Anomaly: Warzone Earth is a solid, if unspectacular, tower offense game that's maybe just a hair too thin and unbalanced to truly be something special

Doom on Nintendo Switch is visually pared back compared to other versions, but it’s still fast, addictive and gorgeous. Seeing it run on a portable is truly a sight to behold. Nintendo fans should not pass this one up.

Visual inconsistency aside, the newest entry in the King of Fighters proves to be one of its best. The gameplay and mechanics are as solid as ever and there's plenty for newcomers and old guard alike to enjoy.

With some unexpectedly complex and challenging controls, Star Wars: Squadrons is not the sort of game that you jump into and play casually. Squadrons is a surprisingly deep flight sim-style space battler that benefits from all of the sights and sounds of the Star Wars universe. While fun played on TVs, Squadrons really comes to life in VR, despite some resolution issues. This is simply the best Star Wars space battle game ever produced, and is a dream come true for fans.

It's easy to look at Echoes and see a criminally short game that could have been something even better, but at $2.99 this proves to be a fun diversion

The idea of a minuscule studio putting out a game that will potentially entrance millions with its easy accessibility and well-graduated complexity curve proves that there is still room in the market for the little guy. Race the Sun is not only a fun little addiction but hopefully also a harbinger of the return of boutique developers.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment successfully marries the button mashing combat of the Warriors formula with the visuals and sounds of Tears of the Kingdom. While the repetitive mission structure can get a little tiring (plan on taking breaks) and the game doesn't push any boundaries, the satisfying combat, impressive technical performance, and faithful recreation of Tears of the Kingdom's world make this an easy recommendation for Zelda fans that miss the sights and sounds of Hyrule.

For only $10, fans of platformers should give this one a try, but skilled gamers might not find Outland all that challenging outside of a few areas.

Hand of Fate is a devastatingly addictive adventure game that mixes card collecting with fast-paced third-person action and board games. Although full of disparate ideas, the game is never confusing. It has a few technical issues and I would have preferred a way to continue, but none of that should keep you from experiencing Hand of Fate.

After all is said and done, this DLC gives me more of what I love, and kudos to Red Storm for taking on that challenge when I thought they had abandoned the game and moved on. Now, can I get some Cardassians?

More a puzzler than a sim game, Train Valley: Console Edition delivers hours of fun from a simple concept - lay down tracks and keep the trains moving without bashing them into each other. Though the controls are somewhat awkward on a gamepad, the rewards for playing far outweigh the slight inconvenience. Well worth a shot for those that enjoy management puzzles and fiery wrecks.

Now that I'm accustomed to Just Dance being a platform instead of a net-new game, I can refocus on both the stellar new dances and the improvements to the UI and technical functionality. All of the content here is stellar (as usual), and the ability to download tracks to play locally is literally a game-saver. As fun as it ever was, this year's swath of new material impresses in scope and creativity. Just give into the fun.

If you're looking for classic FPS action it doesn't get better than Perfect Dark. This game is already bursting with content and the addition of new graphics, controls and online play make it better than ever before.

Gears of War Judgment is exactly what you’d expect in a Gears of War game - a few tweaks here and there, but basically the same game it's been for six and half years.

LEGO Voyagers is a fun journey along a short trail. There is groundwork here for what could be an amazing cooperative experience, but in the end, it comes across as simply a proof of concept.

Ultimately, Pool Nation is a fun, if a little bit austere, game. It lives up to its own "pixel perfect graphics" and "slo-mo replays so detailed you can see the chalk fly" hype. So if you're looking for something to sate your pool appetite, but were banned from the local dive bar for puking in the bartender's mouth, you should definitely give Pool Nation a look.

Halo Wars 2 is an absolute masterstroke, taking console RTS limitations and somehow not only bypassing them, but making them unmissable features. This is one of the most well-made and cleverly designed games I have played in a long time. I hope it sets a precedent for other games to follow.

Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak tells one of the better science fiction narratives I've seen in a real-time strategy game. While the campaign is short, I enjoyed most of the Homeworld-inspired gameplay. Skirmish and multiplayer modes beef up the content, but the overall content-to-price ratio doesn't quite even out. Minor gripes aside, Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak is one of the more compelling real-time strategy games I've played in some time.

While the on-court gameplay improvements from last year are incremental and subtle, NBA 2K25 is still the high-water mark for sports games. A more newcomer-friendly MyCAREER, and the addition of worthwhile game modes to MyTEAM make this one of the best entries in the series, even despite it constantly trying to reach deeper into your pocket.

If you like the Twisted Metal series, then Head On: Extra Twisted Edition is a no brainer. It’s a great remake with lots of cool extra content. That said, the gameplay is a bit shallow and outdated by today’s standards.

A fun and challenging game that I’m glad to see got a remake complete with optional retro assets. For those who, like me, never had a Sega Master System back in the day, this is a great opportunity to check out the game as well as the series in general. Plus if you have your old passwords from the SMS version and never finished the game, now’s your chance.

There are definitely some quality of life improvements to these games. The never-before-released games are super cool. This collection is a little pricey, but with the music, museum, rollback netcode, and internet features, I totally understand why. If you've been playing these games forever like I have, then you may pass this up. But if you want to see where it all started, plus see what other fighting games Capcom dipped their toes into, the collection is for you. Good luck climbing the ranks though- the old school gamers and the FGC are waiting for you at the top.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus plays great on the Nintendo Switch, though if you have a chance to play the game docked, it is definitely the way to go. But either way, New Colossus is an amazing game, with a rich universe, gonzo cinematic storytelling, and great-feeling combat. Not having played the first title is no reason not to jump into Wolfenstein II, and the Switch is a completely viable way to experience the touching lunacy of this series. Highly recommended.

Career mode gets a much needed upgrade while the gameplay has been tweaked enough to feel like a challenge again. VOLTA Football is incredibly fun and a throwback to FIFA Street. It isn't perfect and career mode still has a lot that can be addressed, but EA listened and made upgrades beyond a roster update.

Decent gameplay, a solid dynasty mode, and an improved physics engine more than make up for poor team creation and few major enhancements as NHL 06 goes "five hole" on the competition.

A fun but ultimately shallow experience, Victor Vran offers a dungeon crawler experience that is solid, but not particularly interesting.

Band Hero loosens the reins on the game play to make the game more crowd friendly. The anything goes style carries over into the song list where everyone you know is bound to find at least one song they have heard and/or like.

F.E.A.R 2 is a great game to experience, but repetitive gameplay keeps it from achieving classic status.

Astounding graphics, terrific animation, and upgraded fielding controls bring the best of 2006 and make it better for 2007.

Super Mega Baseball 4 is simply a blast to play. It’s an arcade baseball sim-lite with a focus on fun factor, and it includes a surprising amount of depth that will appeal to a wide range of baseball game fans. If you’re looking for something more laid back than a full-on baseball sim, but also not mindless button-mashing, this is that game.

Jagged Alliance 3 couples irreverent 80s action hero humor and turn-based combat in one of the best tactical RPGs I’ve played this year. It could use some slight optimization tweaks but is an otherwise great port from PC to consoles, including an excellent gamepad control scheme. It’s a game that sets the hook early and refuses to let go as the hours fade away.

It may not be the best looking game on the PSP, but N+ proves that it can more than hang with the big boys.

Subnautica: Below Zero further refines the survival sim, setting a new highpoint for the genre with sky-high production values and amazing world building. Every excursion is risky and rewarding, as the game continues to tease, push, and pull the player ever deeper into its labyrinth. An extraordinary visual delight, Below Zero has the chops to match its graphics with superb gameplay. Subnautica: Below Zero is a masterclass in game design.

Everspace is one of the best space combat games on the market today. It's fun, beautiful, and a blast to play.

I think the group at Firaxis Games had their hearts in the right places when they tried to overhaul this series, but so much of this lands with a thud, I cannot tell people to buy this game. There's plenty of things I like, but the bad outweighs the good. The condensed age system coupled with a modern era that seems to be condensed for the sake of simplicity is a huge disappointment. There are some good ideas, but this game needed another six months to a year of cooking. I hope patches and DLC can help this game out, or else I worry about what Civilization VIII is going to look like.

High Hell is ample demonstration that good and simple game play still has a place in world of multi-gigabyte monsters with eight-figure (or higher) development and marketing budgets. It's perfect for those situations when you just want to sit down and shoot things for a few minutes without having to deal with even an iota of realism. After all, they're called "games" for a reason.

If you have wasted great gobs of your life playing Civ 6, or feel like you have figured it out, this is a good expansion to make you rethink a game you thought you knew.

Mechstermination Force feels like it comes very close to having a manageable learning curve. Quality-wise, it’s great, and a good homage to its boss-filled predecessors. However, there’s nothing more game-ruining than, you know, not being able to play the game. There’s hard, and then there’s hard hard, and then there’s Mechstermination Force. It can be done. It can be beaten. I just hope you have a spare hour or two for every boss, and some throat lozenges and ice water nearby.

Old school role-playing fans who have only owned Xbox products recently will no doubt get a kick out of Blue Dragon. This is a worthwhile game if only because it's the only game of its kind currently available for the Xbox 360.

Final Fight: Double Impact packages two great games into one worthwhile download. Both Final Fight and Magic Sword hold up well, especially when they are displayed in between authentic cabinet art and visual effects.

Fans of the Tony Hawk brand of skateboarding will be happy to know that this Nintendo DS port is not just a scaled down console game, it's easily the best version of the game on the market.

The Pinball Arcade is an excellent platform for emulating the classic tables that made the pinball genre as great as it was. An accurate physics engine and an insane attention to the level of details make the future bright for the game. Now FarSight just needs to begin putting its licensing agreements to use and roll out more tables as well as make use of the various features being promised. Until then, it fails to live up to its potential.

Noitu Love: Devolution is a fun and challenging game once you get used to the controls. While the Normal difficulty is rather easy after getting used to the controls, Hard difficult is where the challenge truly begins. If you’re into these types of games and are up for the challenge, Noitu Love: Devolution is definitely worth the money.

As someone who is terrible at the main series, I really enjoyed Monster Hunter Stories, even if it is a bit easy early on. The more traditional RPG-style of gameplay is a radical departure from what the core games are like, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth your time. If you can put aside the fact that this plays rather differently than the past games, you’ll find an enjoyable experience for new and returning fans alike.

With a terribly below mediocre campaign, an average zombies mode, and an excellent multiplayer option, Call of Duty: WWII manages to hit all the marks. But not in the way that it should. I had high hopes, and was surprised that the real gem I found was not the one I was originally hoping to. It’s not great, it’s not good, it’s okay.

While technically competent and armed with a good story to tell, Apex Construct doesn't provide a compelling reason to keep going after the first few levels. A couple of upgrades to your single weapon appear, but the primary increase in challenge is simply more of the same.

WRC 8 is surprisingly accessible to rally newcomers, but after explaining how everything works, the game delights in throwing buckets of cold water in the player’s face. This is a tough game, but a fair one, and fans of rally racers and other “difficult” genres will likely equally enjoy skidding through WRC 8’s wicked twists and turns. A variety of modes flesh the experience out, but prepare to feast on the Career Mode, which is comprehensive and comprehendible. Recommended.

There is a simplicity to the core gameplay of Hardspace: Shipbreaker. Movement and momentum add an element of skill to every action. The difficulty ramps over time but treats you well to ease you into the escalators. Combining the strategy of breaking the ship with the skill of positioning yourself in place to do so, Shipbreaker wraps it up well with a clever main story to maximize - well, reduction of debt. But most of all, it's calming and fun, set in a world that feels similar to the many wonderful other sci-fi stories that have captured us over the years. Hardspace: Shipbreaker nets you a unique opportunity to inhabit a small corner of those worlds a shift at a time, for a job well done. "Live, Laugh, Salvage."

Diablo-like gameplay, hysterical writing, a AAA cast, and a winning story all combine to make this one of the best kid-appropriate games of the year. Some technical issues mar the Switch version, but this game is still miles above what you might expect. Get Cosmic Chaos for your kid, but expect to take the controller yourself, as the game is just too good to sit and watch.

Shadow Warrior 2 is a smart evolution of the solid framework established in the first game. Bigger guns, nastier enemies, grander levels and more friends means more Wang for everybody.

If you thought the second season of The Walking Dead was going to be more lighthearted, then prepare to be disappointed. All That Remains sees a more mature Clementine battling to survive by herself. As first episodes go, this one definitely gets the job done. The hard part is waiting for the second episode.

Muramasa: Rebirth was a great game on the Wii but on the Vita, it is a masterpiece. Excellent and engaging gameplay, enjoyable stories (yes, multiple), and one of the most visually appealing art styles ever used in a video game combine for an adventure that every Vita owner should take.

As an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink sandbox, Crimson Desert is endlessly compelling, and frankly, irresistible. As a single-player RPG trying to tell a story, it falls flat on its face. Amazingly, it features one of the best and most immersive open worlds since Red Dead Redemption 2, but tries to give it purpose with a narrative that will have you scratching your head, or worse yet, scrolling on your phone.

Monitoring everything from your debits and credits to your hit points and heat levels, BattleTech is brutal, fragile, smart, and struggling a little under its own weight. It has more heart than you're expecting. Couldn't stop playing.