There's no two ways about it- if you have a Switch, you absolutely should not miss out on Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury.

Sons of Sparta delivers tight platforming and genuinely satisfying combat.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is a massive leap over its predecessor, making a whole host of changes and improvements and delivering an utterly charming and mechanically dense tactics experience.

Watch Dogs: Legion is definitely the best game in the series so far- and dare I say, one of the most engaging and inventive open world games I have played in years.

Everspace 2 is an excellent game filled to the brim with content. Regardless of your genre of choice, Everspace 2 will definitely have something for you, from a fun, lengthy story, to intense space combat, to an endgame fueled by the hunt for better loot.

Returnal is an astounding game, one that easily and instantly claims the proud title of being Housemarque’s best game to date, and is an unmissable killer app very early in the PS5’s life.

I have played through The Witcher 3 multiple times, and clocked in several hundred hours into the game across different platforms- and yet, jumping back into its brutal world, I still find myself transfixed.

Frictional Games’ long-standing goal to weaponize players’ own fears against them bears fruit in Amnesia: Rebirth, in their most ambitious and tautly designed work to date.

Yakuza is reborn in this brilliant and compelling new addition to series canon that recontextualizes series tropes and mechanics for an entirely new genre, delivering one of the best outings the series has ever seen.

Nioh 3 doesn’t settle for iterative improvements. Instead, it pulls together Team Ninja’s best mechanics from past entries, folds in welcome touches from its other games, and backs it all up with genuinely strong new additions that feel mechanically sound and consistently engaging.

From a suite of real-world data to on-field animation expansions, MLB The Show 26 promises authenticity on stat screens and in stadiums alike.

Quake 2 Enhanced Edition is an exceptional remaster, turning a beloved classic into one of the better old-school shooters available for what's essentially a steal.

Psychonauts 2 is bigger, better, and more ambitious than its predecessor in every way imaginable.

When Destiny content is bad, it can be some of the worst out there. However, when it's good, there's nothing quite like it. The Final Shape delivers on all its promises and then some, providing an emotional catharsis for long-time fans while paving the road ahead for the future.

Many developers tried to make Crash Bandicoot games after Naughty Dog moved on, and all of them failed to varying levels. The bar for Crash 4 was low in that regard, so Toys For Bob could have just given us something half-decent, and it would already have been the best new Crash game in 20 years. But they didn’t do that. They went above and beyond, and then some, to deliver a finely crafted platformer that can easily claim to stand among genre greats. Firing on all levels, and missing on practically none, Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time is a must play for everyone.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 is a superb remake of the best officer game in the long running 'Three Kingdoms' series. Lack of multiplayer is a misstep, but there's a lot of streamlining and tons of new content here that are well worth your time and money.

Hitman: World of Assassination – Signature Edition delivers a robust stealth-sandbox experience on the Switch 2, packed with content and fully portable. However, the absence of docked VRR support and missing Switch-specific features like gyro aiming or mouse compatibility is a letdown. Still, for fans or those without access to other platforms, it remains a compelling option.

Life is Strange: True Color's well written cast and rich setting help make it easily one of the strongest outings this franchise has had.

It’s frankly surprising that Genshin Impact is a free-to-play game. It is so large, so dense, and has enough mechanical depth to keep you meaningfull engaged. Its world is beautiful and a joy to explore, and the game looks absolutely gorgeous. There are some issues that hold the game back to some degree, such as forgettable characters, some technical issues, and combat that can sometimes feel somewhat one-note, but by and large, Genshin Impact is a game I can easily recommend. It’s free- it would have been worth your time anyway, but given that, it’s even harder to miss.

While WWE 2K24’s attempts at celebrating 40 years of WrestleMania with its new Showcase of the Immortals mode fall flat, the game’s excellent match types and the great new storylines in the MyRise mode will ensure that fans will have plenty to sink their teeth into.

Squirrel With a Gun is a quirky, hilarious and a memorable title that provides fun platforming and surprisingly innovative combat.

DarkSwitch represents a new, fresh take on a genre that largely focuses on a flat 2-dimensional axis. Fans of the city-building genre, as well as newcomers, will find plenty to enjoy here.

Rebellion's post-nuclear adventure is a shockingly excellent and wonderfully bizarre time.

Sea of Thieves has grown into one of the more beloved live service titles over the years and it's well-deserved, offering a gorgeous and engaging pirate fantasy.

The three games it encompasses are fantastic, so Mario 3D All Stars is still worth buying. However, Nintendo is, ultimately, coasting off of the back of some amazing work it did more than a decade ago to sell what is ultimately a disappointingly barebones, facile celebration of gaming’s most important icon who truly deserves better.

COCOON brings together its vibrant visuals, chill vibes, and minimalistic approach to gameplay and storytelling together to create one of the most interesting puzzle games in recent times.

Between Dead Cells and other rogue-lites, The Rogue Prince of Persia may not hold hardcore fans over in the very long run. Nevertheless, its premise is incredibly solid, backed by strong gameplay that channels the essence of its gameplay in all the right ways.

Additional visual improvements make S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy - Enhanced more than a straightforward upgrade for current-gen platforms. It's the best version of these classics, warts and all.

F1 24 could have been the ideal follow-up to last year had its handling not been radically revamped. However, as it stands, it's still a compelling racing sim with fun Career Modes and a strong presentation.

Mafia: Definitive Edition's narrative and visual strengths help it overcome issues in other areas to deliver a worthy remake of the best game in the series.

Unorthodox controls, surprising mechanical depth, and on-track carnage underscore this narrative-heavy racer out of Milestone’s leftfield.

It's not a home run, but Sonic Frontiers does so much of the things that really matter so well that it is easily the most fun 3D Sonic has been in years – maybe even decades – and a genuinely fun and engaging game on its own merits.

Trine 5 treads the same ground as its predecessors and falls prey to the same shortcomings, but it's a solid co-op puzzler that has some gorgeous visuals and is a great time.

While not as trailblazing as its predecessors, Homeworld 3 is still a well-made and worthwhile sci-fi real-time strategy with a solid story and exceptional production values.

Tennis World Tour 2 has some good ideas on paper, but never gels into a cohesive whole.

Darkest Dungeon 2 is a wholly different beast from the original, wrapping branching paths and compelling combat into a rogue-lite package. There are some hiccups and it may not appeal to all fans of the original, but it's still a fun journey to suffer.

Paying extensive homage to the source material while weaving a compelling tale of its own, Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is an involving experience with fun combat and memorable characters.

Sniper Elite 5 is unmissable for anyone with even a passing interest in stealth games.

If you loved the original, you’re going to love Spelunky 2, and find it equal to its predecessor in all ways except one- where the original was a trail blazer, the new game seems content to, much like it asks of its players, simply plumb into familiar depths.

When all is said and done, though Tell Me Why doesn’t necessarily disturb the established Dontnod template too much, it executes it well enough that that doesn't ever seem like an issue. Excellent characters, strong writing, and a deeply personal plot help the player connect with the story. In the end, that most criticisms of the game can be boiled down to “I wish I had had more time to spend in its world and with its characters” should, ultimately, be all that really needs to be said about Tell Me Why.

While none of these games should be anyone's entry into the franchise, Yakuza 3, 4, and 5 Remastered are updated enough to not feel too out of place for those who are eager to see Kiryu Kazuma's story through to the end.

Rematch does a good job of providing a bite-sized arcade football experience that's backed by smooth performance and simple controls, making it easy to pick up and play.

Forgotten Land gets the polish it always deserved, plus Star Crossed World as a sweet extra.

Sonic Colors largely holds up well, and Ultimate is a great way to return or introduce yourself to what is arguably the best designed 3D Sonic game so far.

Forza Horizon 5 continues to deliver excellent racing content with its newest expansion.

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 does a great job of overcoming the original's shortcomings, and comes out as a more complete and well-rounded racing game. While it isn't immune to scrutiny and criticism, it's still a great arcade racer that's well worth trying out.

Gameplay updates enhance the on-ice action, and despite some of NHL 24’s touted new features not being new at all, the game’s atmosphere is still electric.

Those itching for a solid rally racer with plenty of modes and features backed by solid gameplay will find plenty to like about EA Sports WRC.

Plants Vs. Zombies Replanted is a faithful recreation of the original game that brings every bit of its charm and fun gameplay loop to modern platforms.

Blood West is an excellent game for fans of stealth games. It makes use of classic design ideas from games as wide ranging as the seminal Thief titles, to more modern ones like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. in order to shape its mechanics and general gameplay loop. The progression system encourages exploration, which is made all the better thanks to excellent level design.

NBA 2K26 delivers sharper on-court gameplay that shines despite the weight of heavy microtransactions holding it back.

Assassin's Creed Mirage looks to the franchise's past, and delivers a strong, focused entry that is exactly what it says on the tin, nothing more and nothing less.

Suikoden 1 and 2 HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars brings the two beloved classics to modern platforms with smart and sensible updates that only reinforce all the reasons the series was so beloved in the first place.

While fans of Tolkien’s works might find the gameplay to be interesting, there isn’t much to chew on when it comes to the story.

The missteps and fumbles associated with Deadlink – whether inherent or inadvertent – are ultimately an unconvincing argument against playing the game.

New Tales from the the Borderlands delivers an entertaining sequel worthy of the Borderlands name, but doesn’t take enough risks to evolve the format.

As far as sequels go, SteamWorld Heist 2 expands on its predecessor's compelling gameplay in multiple ways while providing a compelling new setting. Some aspects need further tidying up, but it's still an enjoyable journey.

Century: Age of Ashes combines a great mix of ideas for an approachable, fun free-to-play game.

The Mortuary Assistant's console re-release is the perfect excuse to dive into what's genuinely one of the scariest horror games in recent years.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Definitive Edition lives up to its title, delivering the best way to experience the classic RTS, even if it could use a bit more polish.

Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening is an interesting take on the strategy genre, choosing to focus more on the administration aspects of running a successful war campaign rather than focusing on the battles themselves.

While there are several better titles in the Fatal Frame series, Maiden of Black Water has aged surprisingly well and can still deliver great fun.

Fresh challenge systems and a slick new story make 91Act's rogue-lite that much more compelling, even if some aspects could be better.

EA Sports PGA Tour is probably the best golf game on the market right now, though that might not be as bold of a statement as it sounds.

Days Gone's PC port doesn't fix the game's generic premise or writing issues, but it does offer a slew of technical improvements that takes advantage of the PC's better hardware. Pair those with a compelling world and some great gameplay and you have an adventure that's better than it's often given credit for.

SEASON: A Letter to the Future has all the markings of a relaxing adventure that has something to say about the nature of change.

With heavy doses of action platforming, a dash of Metroidvania and some striking visuals, Convergence: A League of Legends Story provides a compelling side-story for Ekko.

The Outlast Trials is brutal and unrelenting, constantly pushing you into the deep end and taunting you to stay afloat. Some aspects could use further touching up, but if co-op horror is your sickness, then this may be your kind of therapy.

Football Manager 26 lays down a solid new foundation for the series’ next era with engaging tactical systems and addictive management simulation, even if it stumbles with UI issues.

Skate Story is worth checking out if you want a skateboarding experience with an excellent trick system and responsive controls, but also incredibly out there with its narrative and atmosphere.

There's a lot to love about this year's NHL game. From the redesigned Be A Pro mode to the enhanced NHL EDGE authenticity, it's a notable step up from previous years. NHL 26 has perhaps the best 'superstar' mode of EA's current sports lineup, which is shocking considering how stuck in the mud it's been prior to now. If you've been on the fence about EA's pro hockey series, now's the time to jump in.

Overwatch 2 is a soft reboot of the hero shooter, enabling a quicker pace thanks to 5v5, well-designed maps, and extensive rebalancing. There are still some progression and monetization issues to sort out, but this update/sequel establishes a solid foundation for the series' future.

Dragon Quest 1 and 2 HD2D are not must-play RPGs in 2025, but both are still very good examples of the genre that most fans will get something out of.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits was never a revelation, and it still isn't, but it is, nonetheless, a gorgeous, engaging action-adventure title that Xbox players now have the perfect opportunity to dive into.

Pacific Drive can be broken down easily into other genres, but it's unlike anything available in terms of tone, atmosphere and execution.

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black isn't the most definitive version of the classic but it will remind you why it's so well-regarded in the first place.

Sniper Elite: Resistance delivers more of the excellent tactical stealth shooting action that Sniper Elite 5 boasted three years ago. It might be a familiar experience, but for genre fans, it's still an easy recommendation.

A Pirate’s Fortune is a short but meaningful return to Star Wars Outlaws, proving that with the right fixes, there’s still an adventure worth chasing.

A fine addition to a young genre, Survivor adds smart twists, most notably its level-based structure; however, unlike the mainline Deep Rock Galactic, it’s single-player only.

Grand Theft Auto 5's new-gen upgrade is solid and effective, but much too conservative, especially for a game that's long overstayed its welcome.

Even with a few issues, Death's Door is a tightly designed, challenging game that does wonders with its classic Zelda-inspired formula.

Packed full of excellent action, blistering combat, a solid cast of characters, and astoundingly beautiful visuals, Gears 5: Hivebusters is unmissable for anyone who considers themselves a fan of the series.

Though it's hard not to see the validity of criticisms over its pricing and and questions over whether it even needed to be made, the Until Dawn remake is ultimately a solid and enhanced new version of a modern horror classic.

Alan Wake 2 signs off on a typically strong note with The Lake House, which is a strong expansion that delivers an engaging new survival horror chapter while also setting up the future of the Remedy Connected Universe.

An experience which promises much and delivers on some, F1 25 is without doubt a worthy entry but the feeling is its innovations could be greater.

Serial Cleaners offers up an incredibly unique premise, some fun characters, and a lot of great levels with a surprising level of interactivity to tell us stories that aren’t really told too often. Couple that with a great sense of style to evoke the 90s and Serial Cleaners becomes a surprisingly interesting game.

Take away the technical issues, and Sable is a pretty good game. It's not great, because some fundamental design issues do hold it back, but it would still be worth checking out. As it stands, however, the game is a mess technically speaking, with frame rate drops, pop ins, crashes, hard locks, and long loading times. If there is a good game in here, it's really hard to get to, and it might be best to wait till after some of the technical issues have been ironed out.

To be able to enjoy No More Heroes 3, then, you need to be able to not take the story seriously while still being fully invested in it and all that it has to offer, and you need to be willing to put up with the distinctly low budget jank that permeates the game without letting it get in the way of your enjoyment of all that the game does well.

Despite its sometimes-awkward writing, Miasma Chronicles manages to tell an interesting story full of twists and turns in a world that’s incredibly interesting and well thought out.

Bravely Default II is a well made, mechanically expansive, JRPG.

WWE 2K23 successfully builds upon the foundations laid down by its predecessor. While it’s still far from the best pro-wrestling game out there, it’s the only one we really get with a modern roster anymore. With that caveat in mind, however, WWE 2K23 remains a blast to play. It’s got a great roster, a host of new features and match types, and its new take on the MyRise career mode is incredibly fun.

The Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade of Breath of the Wild is a technically impressive but content-light update.

Monster Hunter Rise knows exactly why its formula works and emphasizes it to a more accessible and rewarding degree.

Trails to Azure only really suffers from being a sequel to Trails from Zero, since you need to know quite a bit about that game before truly understanding the characters and their motivations.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is not only the best entry point for newcomers, but one of the best offerings the series has had in recent memory. The intimate zoomed-in story portrays the Three Kingdoms figures as likeable and complex characters with compelling motives. Combat can be hit or miss, but there's no denying the unmatched scale and spectacle of the 1-v-1000 battles.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A may not surpass Arceus in innovation, but it delivers an exciting adventure with plenty of nostalgic charm that make it a worthy follow-up in the series.

Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana is a throwback in the best way possible, highlighting the series' strengths and offering a fun time.

The Entropy Centre is a surprisingly great game with well made puzzles and unique ideas, though it could have done with some much needed modern features.