These new additions are seamless and, I hope, can be used as proof of concept for a potential Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5. I’m aware there is already a fifth game, of course, but Iron Galaxy — and you — would do better to forget about that one...Throw in a slew of secret characters, gameplay mods, multiplayer modes, and customisation options that weren’t in the original games, and you have yourself a little slice of skateboarding heaven in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 Remastered. The birdman has done it again.

Eastward feels comfortably familiar and strikingly fresh all at once, remixing the best elements of classic RPGs to produce something bold, brilliant, and altogether new.

Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Galaxy are not only two of the greatest Mario games ever, they're two of the greatest video games ever. Each brims with ideas, with intelligent and intuitive design, and with an irresistible pull on the player to get through just one more level before calling it a night - which then becomes one more, and another, until your Switch battery dies. Even without anything extra added, and the non-native-platform awkwardness of Galaxy appreciated, they're essentials. Super Mario Sunshine is also included.

It’s an amazing example of how a game can balance both the light and the dark; the majesty and the horror of the world in this time period. The path that lies ahead for these two children who suffer with the weight of the world on their shoulders should sound like a done deal, but you’re chewing your nails to stubs while worrying over the fate of their few friends and praying that there is a life for them yet. In this game, Hugo and Amicia have become unforgettable characters in the medium, and I hope that everyone has the chance to come on this journey with them.

I wanted to like Death Stranding. I'm a big fan of Kojima's previous games and I enjoy them for the mishmash of ideas they always are, and in theory I've no problem with playing a delivery man (I've put far too many hours into Euro Truck Simulator), but this game drowns its exciting systems and ideas with a messy execution and dragged out campaign. By stretching it out to such a long playtime, you can't escape Death Stranding's weaknesses - repetitive missions, simple combat, and a badly told story.

I could continue for another 1,000 plus words describing in poetic prose why Magical Delicacy should be played by everyone, even if platforming isn’t usually your thing. Even so, my words feel so crude and inadequate – they’ll never do this game the same amount of justice as stepping off the ship in Grat for yourselves does.

Little Nightmares II does everything you'd expect of a sequel. It sticks closely to the grimy winning formulae of Little Nightmares, while improving on it in key areas. It's clear that Tarsier Studios know what makes their players tick and delivers it to them in festering bucketloads. Everything from the game's story, to the claustrophobic atmosphere it creates combine into an incredibly compelling package that is a must play for horror lovers everywhere.

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is the complete Star Wars video game experience, in a way only a LEGO game can be. If there was ever to be a Skywalker Saga: The Video Game ‘proper’, it wouldn’t have a chance to let players experience all the wild wonders of the universe like this. A movie-faithful adaptation wouldn’t let you run around Hoth as General Grievous alongside Yaddle and, in all honestly, that's all I’ve ever wanted.

Super Mario Party Jamboree is an excellent party game for the Nintendo Switch, fit for any number of players even when you’re by yourself. The new modes, boards, minigames and mechanics all work together beautifully, with the cherry on top being you can play the majority of them online as well as locally. While it can often feel like you’re being dealt a bad hand with minigames or NPC helpers, one could argue that’s part of the chaos Mario Party games are best-known for, so I’ll leave it up to you to decide for yourself if it’s your vibe.

It can't be overstated that this is an experience that won't be as rich, as rewarding, as exciting to younger players as it will be to those who were raised on the Mega Drive. But for anyone with fond memories of this genre at its peak, on home consoles and in arcades throughout the 1990s, it's unlikely you'll play a better game of its kind than Streets of Rage 4 in 2020.

Two Point Hospital is a huge amount of fun, and it's so easy to find yourself engulfed for hours at a time, perfecting every single aspect of your respectable institution and unlocking more and more 'kudosh', the game's essential currency for all of those requested upgrades.

All I can really say about Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip is that for the few hours I spent with it nothing else mattered. I wandered around sometimes focusing on exploration, sometimes switching up and concentrating on furthering the upgrade of the taxi. I chuckled a lot, I explored because I wanted to see and collect as much as possible, and it felt like a nice detour. It was a pleasant diversion in my gaming this week, where I didn’t have to fight big monsters or sit through extended cutscenes. All I had to do was live in the moment, mooching around this bright, colourful and wonky town that constantly delivered humour. I can’t recommend it enough.

To be a part of Arabella’s green thumbed world is a gift. Sadly, it isn’t a gift we can keep enjoying once its complete, due to the way in which the puzzles are solved; their rigidity makes the game more of a one hit wonder. However, despite its short longevity, Botany Manor is everything you want from a plant-based puzzle game. In fact, I’d argue it exceeds expectations. No, I can’t easily return to re-do the puzzles, at least not if I want a fresh challenge, but simply to bask in the glow of the sun-lit grounds? Oh, I’ll return to Botany Manor in a heartbeat.

A fantastic racing game. It's tough to say if it's better or worse than Mario Kart World because both games offer completely different experiences, and will appeal to different types of players. If you're looking for a competitive racer that'll keep you engaged, and possibly enrage, this is it.

There’s no denying the beauty held within the pixel graphics here. The first game has its charms in visual design, but the second game improves in every department, bringing more detail and a range of colours that make practically every scene look like a work of art. There’s also much more joy in building your army of 108 characters here, purely due to the added depth for each member. It’s hard to overstate just how much better this game is, even many years after its release. If you’re an RPG purist, you’ll get a lot from this remaster package, but don’t expect too much.

For what it is, and as a successor to the DS's Clubhouse Games of 2005 (bloomin' heck, how time flies), 51 Worldwide Games is perfect, really. Does that make it a perfect video game? Clearly, no. It's a very recommended collection for super-convenient family-time play, with a handful of attractions that will become regular favourites - like I said, its bowling is dangerously close to becoming an obsession. But it's not something that can be scored alongside a Breath of the Wild, a Persona 5 or a Witcher 3. So while the number below might not immediately scream buy this, if you're hankering for a fine-indeed mini-game collection for your Switch, they don't come much finer than this one.

Loop Hero is exceptional at what it does. It's an addictive game that steals your free time with the same ease as only Minecraft can match. It's perfect for some, but for others it can be a dissatisfying experience as it never feels like you've achieved anything until it's actually over. No little win feels worth it. If you're into roguelikes then this is potentially a great game for you, but it's not for everyone.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is exactly what we needed after Inquisition. From the moment I stepped onto Minrathous’ streets, it felt like coming home. After such an agonising wait, the franchise I adore is back as strong as ever. It respects what’s gone before while also welcoming change and innovation.

If you’re after a cosy evening’s entertainment, I can’t imagine you’ll be disappointed by Undusted: Letters From The Past. Its gameplay is incredibly moreish, pulling you right through to the credits in a single sitting. It’s a brief journey but one that packs an emotional punch and teaches you a couple of important lessons along the way.

Despite the elevator pitch for this one being all sorts of I’m Sorry What, Arcade Paradise is hugely compelling.

As a revisit to a game that has solid foundations in the RTS genre, Age of Mythology: Retold does enough to warrant a new release. It gives players spectacular powers and so many ways to play that it’s dizzying. And yet, it’s held back slightly by a lifeless set of campaigns and the minor frustrations of controller play. Of course, if this is your only way to play, you’re going to have fun, but you might find yourself pining for more precision and a bit more polish.

WWE 2K23 might not be perfect, but the series trajectory continues to evolve into one of the best wrestling video game franchises there ever was, then, now and forever. Simply put, WWE 2K23 is a must-buy for fans of the squared circle.

While backtracking can get a little much towards the end, and the lack of any real new ideas is a bit of a drag, Crypt Custodian is a thoroughly enjoyable adventure that’s bound to appeal to metroidvania veterans and newcomers alike. Don’t let this one slip through the cracks.

Burning Shores is yet another step up for the series, telling what is undeniably the most cohesive and personal story to date. Add in a stellar new sidekick, refreshed gameplay, and an expansive new world to explore, and Burning Shores is an unmissable highlight - both for the franchise and the PlayStation 5.

Rusty’s Retirement is simplicity done well. Not only does it take a basic concept and make it enjoyable and entertaining, but without being imposing, it also highlights what makes indie devs so invaluable to the games industry. Big name publishers wouldn’t recognise the appeal of such a low participation activity, yet for cosy gamers and dreamers who want their farms only a click away, it delivers everything.

Live A Live is an epic story made up of multiple narratives and protagonists, taking place over different eras and genres. While from the outside it may appear to be another remastered retro title for Nintendo Switch, it is without a doubt one of the best games I’ve played this year.

Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE Encore fully deserves its place, its second chance, on Nintendo Switch. Its characters are charming, the dialogue is always enjoyable, gameplay is satisfyingly addictive, and the overall narrative is compelling. It may not be the best Atlus game coming out this year, but it's still a wonderful adventure that you won't regret playing.

So we'll leave a thousand or so things about it left unsaid - the music, yes, it's wonderful, sorry we didn't spend more time celebrating its City Pop-riffing breeziness and loose funk swagger; and those character poses really are straight out of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. I mean, we didn't even touch on the influence of Suda51 and the Danganronpa series - but seriously, I think this is one where the less you know, the even more amazing it is. Oh, and that it makes you pay for things in blood? Really. What a game.