Overall, Dynasty Warriors Origins is a fantastic starting point for those new to series like I was. The storytelling felt concise and easy-to-follow, the gameplay was endlessly entertaining, and it never felt like I was stepping into unknown territory, so I could learn and experiment with no fear.

The main gripe I see some people having with New Pokémon Snap is that it's a full-priced game. If you're the type of person expecting a deep narrative that will last for over 10 hours, and have no interest in sticking around after the credits roll to pump up your PhotoDex, then you're going to have a bad time. But if you're like me, you're gonna stick around, max out the research levels on each course, complete all the research requests to unlock stickers, and discover all the cool secrets, fun interactions and hard-to-uncover Pokémon. And you're going to love it.

Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection Vol 1 is a welcome history lesson for anyone who thought portable play at the turn of the millennium was all about Nintendo. SNK had a good thing going with the Pocket Color - and given half a chance, with better backing and more third-party support (a fantastic Sonic game aside, which sadly isn't on this set, non-SNK games were thin on the ground), you wonder if it might've given the Game Boy a decent run for its money.

Arcade 2nd Stadium doesn’t feel as necessary as its predecessor, where buying all of its 32 games gave you an astounding compilation, possibly the greatest-ever arcade collection of all time.

Playing Bugsnax feels like you're clutching the giant pull switch in Dr Frankenstein's lab, the creation before you twitching beneath the white cloth, while the sunlight streams through the windows: it's a lovely day outside.

SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide gets so much right. Its instantaneous character switching system is brilliant, and Purple Lamp has once again cooked up an entertaining story, whisking players through several fun new locations. It could be longer and there are a few bugs present, albeit harmless ones. It’s hard, though, to deem the title as anything other than a thrilling 3D platformer that’s a blast to play through.

The interwoven relationship between gameplay and music in Metal: Hellsinger really is a masterclass in intuitive game design. You can feel the passion that has been poured into the project and I’m happy to conclude by saying that The Outsiders have made a bonafide banger.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii might not do much to reinvent the wheel, in particular with this series but it’s no less a blast. Developers Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio knows exactly what fans want and how to deliver the most enjoyable experience possible. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a jolly adventure and it’s a delight seeing Goro Majima shining once more in the gorgeous sunny Aloha state.

Riders Republic’s failures in effectively catering for newcomers - despite its excellent range of accessibility features - are clear for me as a newbie. But anyone experienced with this genre will have a bloody fantastic time here, and it's well worth picking up if you’re into it.

Ultros is a game that, I suspect, not everyone will “get”. It’s unashamedly bizarre, and isn’t afraid to make players work to dig through its squelchy layers to find its shimmering, beating heart. But if you’re willing to put in the time and effort, Ultros is a breath of fresh air for an increasingly crowded genre, and one of 2024’s strangest surprises.

Rewarding those who are restrained as well as those who are reckless, The Quarry is nerve-shredding as a single-player game - so who knows what chaos will ensue with its multiplayer modes? For fans of schlocky yet satirical horror games and films, The Quarry is not one to miss.

Overall, TOEM is a remarkable take on the photography game genre, if it is a genre at all. You take pictures both to progress in the game and for your own pleasure, with each shot further strengthening your link to the in-game world and its delightful characters. While it's predominantly a happy-go-lucky experience, there are some poignant moments, and it's a game that could stay in your heart long after you beat it.

It won't change the way you think about Resident Evil, but Resident Evil 3 is a faithful and thoroughly entertaining retelling of one of the most fondly remembered zombie games ever made. Throw in the replayability and an entirely new game in Resident Evil Resistance, and you've got yourself a title fans will be pining over for some time to come.

I’ve never played anything quite like Leximan, and I’m not sure I ever will again. But I am hugely grateful a game this unashamedly silly exists, and would recommend it to anyone looking for a bit of a giggle.

Kirby Air Riders may fall short in terms of track selection compared to Mario Kart World, but I’ll be damned if it isn’t the best racing game released this year, and one of the best first-party Nintendo games to launch on the Nintendo Switch 2.

Star Wars: Squadrons is not a spiritual successor to Rogue Squadron. In fact it's far closer to the much-loved X-Wing Vs TIE Fighter, while still being something entirely new for the franchise. It carves out its own niche in the Star Wars universe. One of an enticingly replayable seismic battle between good and evil, as viewed from the cockpit of a starfighter.

At a time where a 'Britain divided', in the near-future and distant past respectively, is the setting of at least two new AAA games - namely Watch Dogs: Legion and Assassin's Creed Valhalla - it's refreshing and comforting to play through a game where this place I call home isn't, well, a load of sh*t. The bucolic, pastoral Britishness of I Am Dead is weaved throughout its gentle humour and its heart-squeezing moments of emotional lurch, likewise its old-time seaside quaintness and whimsical soundtrack. It's a nice game to spend time with, in the same way that Detectorists (for example) was a nice TV show to spend time with; and for a title that's ostensibly about preventing a cataclysmic eruption, it's incredibly relaxed. It's definitely not for everyone, but to return to that Annapurna catalogue of paragraph one: if those games do it for you, I Am Dead will scratch the same itches with all the agreeable satisfaction of a Morris Lupton bellyrub. Woof.

What Hyrule Warriors continues to do exceptionally well is offer a fun, accessible entry point into the hack-and-slash genre. For that reason I’d likely say Age Of Imprisonment is better suited to those who don’t usually play Warrors games, but there’s still plenty of appeal for those familiar with Koei Tecmo’s other games.

LEGO Voyagers is undoubtedly one of the standout games of 2025. It’s quite unlike anything else I’ve played, combining clever co-op puzzling with a beautiful narrative - all contained within a perfectly presented package. It’s a joy to play and a true feast for the eyes.

Despite the niggles, Expeditions is a bit of a rugged gem and it offers just as much joy as frustrations, which is a balance that will tip to the former depending on your mileage.

As a concept, Anger Foot is genius. I loved the city, the gangs, and the oddball humour. Oh, and the soundtrack is a thumping ass-kicker that constantly delivers big beats and funky grooves. However, the concept is restricted by itself. It certainly lives up to its name as you definitely can kick everything with your foot. I just wish I could have let loose, played around with different tactics, and embraced the chaotic absurdity that the developers were channelling with more depth.

Ultimately, Alba: A Wildlife Adventure is a game that is accessible for all ages, with its gentle pacing, undemanding mechanics, and cheerful premise. What struck me the most in its story is that there is not one adult character in Pinar del Mar that brushes off Alba and Inez, or speaks to them as though they're ill-informed (well, barring one, but that's a spoiler). A pride flag waves in the sea breeze from one of the balconies along the beach, and there are a range of identities and personalities represented in Alba: A Wildlife Adventure. It's a short and sweet adventure that will really resonate with young gamers with an interest in conservation... and older gamers who miss the Spanish sun.

While fans of the series will undoubtedly get more out of this game than newcomers, it’s a fantastic title that’s worth checking out, both as a samurai story and as a sandbox RPG in general. If you love cinematic cutscenes, frenetic combat and simply killing time in a beautiful virtual realm, then Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a must-play game.

If you're a fan of the original Mafia then you should give this remake a try. It captures the spirit of the game while also making it a thoroughly modern shooter. If you never played Mafia, then this doesn't feel like a nostalgia project but a new game. The split structure of the story mode and open world may be unusual when lined up against its current competitors, but if you find yourself lost in large open worlds like Assassin's Creed and are looking for something that has more respect for your time, Mafia may be for you.

Borderlands, as a series, has always leant on the fourth wall, arms folded, and jabbed its thumb at the game and said "Get a load of these guys, huh?" Yet with its setting and mechanics like classes and abilities, it's all very, very recognisable stuff for people who have either played Dungeons & Dragons or have watched Dungeons & Dragons being played. The combination of the self-referential sense of humour of Borderlands and the spontaneity of Dungeons & Dragons is so cool to see manifest in the game, and I'd recommend it for fans of both of these games as well as those who think a little sentient mushroom farting a cloud of toxic gas to erode brigands to goop is funny. Because it is. [Impressions]

The Capcom Fighting Collection is a great partner for and follow-up to the Beat ‘Em Up Bundle , and if you’re a player who used to love pumping their shrapnel into coin-ops to smack the everloving stuffing out of a friend, who may or may not have remained your friend afterwards, it makes for an easy recommendation, especially with the flexibility the Switch version can offer via its small but totally useable Joy-Cons.

While it isn't perfect, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity proves its value by serving up one of the most epic tales Princess Zelda has ever starred in. There's a magic within this game's story, reminiscent of Ocarina of Time, and that's something to cherish. The relatively simplistic gameplay may detract from the overall impression, but that won't stop me playing it again.

A lot of families hide pasts that, well, those living in the present day would rather not talk about. The Ronan twins' past is one touched by darkness, by actions and individuals who they have, understandably, pushed to one side. Going through this journey of rediscovery with them is a sometimes shocking but often joyous experience, and if you're someone who loves a tender yet twisted narrative adventure, Tell Me Why absolutely deserves your attention.