Relic has taken one of the greatest strategy games of the last 10 years and given it a brilliant new coat of paint while subtly refining the rock-solid mechanics and gameplay.

So, does the original Crash Bandicoot trilogy hold up? Two-thirds of me says “heck yes.” The first Crash Bandicoot may not have aged well, and there are portions of Cortex Strikes Back and Warped that are frustrating, but I had a ridiculous amount of fun with them. I felt encouraged to go back to find the remaining gems, see my best time, and explore the secret warp rooms. Vicarious Visions did a great job with remastering the Crash Bandicoot trilogy. Maybe we can see our favorite purple dragon done with the same amount of justice?

Samorost 3 is a sensational journey through a delightful yet deceptively twisted world where fairytale collides with science fiction, themes of addiction and power mix with lighthearted play, and the adventures of a little the gnome always kept a smile on my face.

Mekazoo is a gorgeous, brilliantly designed evolution of the platformer genre. It feels natural, playful, engrossing, and challenging all at once. Swapping Mekanimals on the fly adds to the game’s already successful formula by giving it more depth. With a magnificent soundtrack and an intuitive, natural flow, this gem shouldn’t be missed.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel has made its way to PC, but has made no changes to differentiate itself. This game overall is one that has definitely aged well and has grown on me as time goes by, and is a quality JRPG that any fan of the genre will enjoy. However, this re-release provides no incentive whatsoever for someone wants to double dip.

Mega Man is back in his best entry in over a decade. The controls are tight, the quality of life changes such as button mapping Rush Coil, Rush Jet, and sliding are more than welcome, and the Double Gear system becomes second nature quickly. While the main game may seem short, and a lack of fan-favorite characters is disappointing, Mega Man 11 shines in everything it does include. This truly is the triumphant return of the Blue Bomber.

Broken Toys is a wonderful third episode for Telltale’s The Walking Dead: The Final Season, and is perhaps the best entry for the season so far. With a great mix of new and returning appearances, varied action sequences, and a stronger emphasis between the dynamic of AJ and Clementine, this is a great couple of hours before the final installment.

Jackbox rarely disappoints and The Jackbox Party Pack 6 proves that the series is just as entertaining as it ever was. The return of Trivia Murder Party is welcome, and the four new games all bring something unique to the table. If you’ve ever enjoyed a Jackbox title before, you’ll absolutely want to pick this one up.

KARDS is a free to play WWII card battler that combines card battling with resource management. You'll need to think carefully about what cards you play and when if you want to succeed. There are some balance issues, but nothing that ruins the game entirely. Online matchmaking is the quickest I've ever seen.

Tales from the Borderlands is just as good as you remember it. The characters feel real and human, while the plot is compelling and worth seeing through to the end. This port could have used a few upgrades or even just kept the choice summaries, but at the end of the day it’s a game I’ll replay for years to come.

Forza Horizon 5: Hot Wheels is the perfect example of a small expansion. It takes a new spin on the Horizon formula while its core remains the same, incredibly fun arcade racer. The new open world is a joy to explore and master, but sadly it can feel too much like an advertisement frequently.

Both Sam & Max Save the World and Sam & Max: Beyond Time and Space remain great games after all these years. These remasters honor what made the originals special, while simultaneously modernizing the games. Updated graphics, audio, and accessibility features are just a few of the quality-of-life improvements found in these charmingly bizarre yet well-crafted adventures. New players and old fans alike will find plenty to love.

At its core, Bramble: The Mountain King is a storybook brought to life in the best way possible. Olle’s search for his sister is a wonderful journey inspired by Nordic folklore that is aided by magnificent landscapes, unsettling mythological creatures and an intriguing narrative that culminates in a touching tale of bravery in the face of darkness.

Under Night In-Birth II [Sys:Celes] does not reinvent the wheel so much as it refines it to its most effective form yet. That takes more effort than you’d expect – UNI2 is the culmination of a decade’s worth of thoughtful design and carefully considered changes. Despite this, it effortlessly demonstrates why it’s one of the strongest competitors on the fighting game market right now.

Sucker for Love: Date to Die For is a surprisingly heartfelt, wholesome dating sim between a girl from a small town and a goat from beyond the stars. The comedy takes a backseat here in favor of some very tense horror and incredibly cute romance, though there are still jokes and gags a plenty. It’s a short and sweet experience that will shock you, terrify you, and warm your heart.

For a first game, Spilled ticks every box with not much room for error. You are looking at about 1-2 hours of gameplay, which can put some people off, as there isn’t much reason to hang around after a cleanup, but you have to expect that going in. You can jump in and out, feeling much better about yourself by taking the time to clean up the oceans and make a difference to this small, pixelated world.

Even if you don't play Fable 3 more than once, you can expect about 20-25 hours to play through the core game, and anywhere from another 15-20 more if you decide that you want to see most of everything the game has to offer. But I'd recommend not charging straight through – go wander about and sniff the proverbial flowers and have fun exploring the world of Albion.

What makes Danganronpa immensely satisfying is how it consistently toys with your expectations. With excellent writing, well-developed characters, and a story that keeps you guessing, Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc is a bloody good time.

What value you get out of Skylanders Giants is tied directly to how much you'll be willing to spend on it and while it's definitely pricey, the added value of a physical product that is actually a pretty well made and exciting piece of tech softens the blow a bit. The game itself is way more fun than it has any right being, and while it doesn't pull off its concepts perfectly, it does manage to stay interesting throughout, with tons of clever little ideas and nods to other games.

But this game is an epic fail start to finish. It's storyline is terrible, the graphics are mediocre at best, the voice acting ranges from bad to worse (with Oldman the lone actor who must have used his imagination while recording his lines), the Wii's native controls aren't exactly cut out for this kind of rapid action, there's little to no reason given as to why to play the game (which isn't very fun), and the in-game cut scenes are terrible.

Megaman Legacy Collection sets out what it aims to do–provide longtime fans, and a new generation of gamers, with the opportunity to play through some of the most iconic Megaman games ever made.

The Rogue Prince of Persia excels in 2D side scrolling combat by infusing a buttery smooth parkour system into the mix. Retaking Ctesiphon from the Huns using the immortal powers of the Prince works so well for the roguelite formula, and each run had me wanting to jump right back in.

Everything that makes Puyo Puyo Tetris great is here, but the additions are incredibly underwhelming. The story is just as simplistic as the first one, and the new “map” is a glorified way to show off a list of challenges hidden behind light character banter. If you’re new to the series, this would be a good starting point, but anyone content with the first Puyo Puyo Tetris doesn’t necessarily need to upgrade.

Gravity Rush 2 is a charming and fun game. The impressive AI does a fantastic job of building bonds between players and characters. A wonderful soundtrack alongside a wide variety of mission types come together to create a vivid and large open world. The game is hampered by poor camera controls and some hiccups in the story, but overall, the experience is one that I thoroughly enjoyed and will be playing again.

This is some of the best 2D platforming to ever be released.

Battlefield 2142 steps over Battlefield 2 in terms of graphics, gameplay, multiplayer ranks, unlocks, and game modes. Right out of the box it offers more variety in terms of selecting different game modes, more customizations in options, and a larger map selection with better maps.

The Artful Escape perfectly encapsulates the feeling of being transported away by a David Bowie track to a far-out world filled with colorful characters and wildlife and great music, but its gameplay falls flat, offering little depth past its first tutorial. While the game is short enough for its systems to never feel too egregious, it never reaches its full potential through its story or its mechanics. Fans of zen games, nice visuals, and quippy dialogue may want to pick this up, but do not expect a deep experience in playing The Artful Escape.

It combines aspects of great RPG games and first person shooters, wraps them into a package that will appeal to the historian, and tosses in a dash of addiction to combine into one great final product.

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves has a lot of potential, but it can feel like it puts effort into all the wrong places. Episodes of South Town just isn’t very fun because of its focus on stats, while Arcade Mode is a blast and has far better cinematics. The fighting systems have a great core, but feel needlessly complicated when you get into the weeds. Still, if you take the time to learn the game and its characters, it can feel great to play.

The use of the Source engine gave Troika the ability to use their talents on fleshing out the incredible storyline and remarkable atmosphere.

That said, since AllDrive is so important to the overall experience, multiplayer gamers will likely get a lot more out of it than those who play alone. But, if you’re looking for a racing game that’s rewarding, fun, and visually impressive, then Need for Speed Rivals is the game for you.

Capcom Arcade Stadium is the best way to play a few of Capcom’s arcade classics. It’s clear a lot of love went into making sure these games were emulated perfectly and to recreate the atmosphere of a bustling arcade. Whatever you want to play here, you can’t go wrong.

After a small misstep in NHL 15, NHL 16 feels like a huge apology letter to fans. Many removed features have returned, but that also means improvements are few and far between.

Madden NFL 19 is a fantastic entry into the long-running series. The new Player Movement System and air collision system lead to far more fluent gameplay and animation while MUT comes in better than ever. The MUT challenges are enjoyable and offer a great way to start building your team and a new emphasis on training and chemistry allows for more strategy. New or returning, Madden NFL 19 is a must buy for football fans.

Fuser is a wonderful title that will appeal to anyone looking for a good time with great beats. Whether you’re spectating a user-created set or making your own beats with the base soundtrack of 100 songs, there’s no better time to spin the disc and get the house poppin’!

A solid and satisfying puzzler wrapped around an H.P. Lovecraft story that hasn’t been told to death. It leaves you wanting more, with a shorter runtime, but thankfully a price to match. Another hit from developer Out of the Blue Games, and one I hope they continue into a third installment.

Pokémon Conquest's replay value is through the roof. After the first campaign is completed many more stories that allow the player to control different warlords open up. These different stories have their own objectives that the player has to complete in order to win. After 33 of these stories are completed, a campaign similar to the first one becomes available. In addition to these, more stories can be downloaded from the Nintendo WFC. All of this, combined with online multiplayer, will leave one with hundreds of hours of Pokémon themed turn based strategy excitement to enjoy.

Kunitsu-Gami is a striking game both conceptually and visually, exactly the kind of experimental game that I wish we got more often. I just also wish it pushed itself a little further than it does. Offense runs the show in Kunitsu-Gami, which unfortunately undermines some of its potential strengths. Still, the game keeps itself engaging with its hybrid of action and strategy, as well as the courage to change up its structure.

While the Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters aren’t perfect, they’re certainly the best and most convenient ways to play these classic games. The soundtracks are lovingly orchestrated and the pixel art is gorgeous, though the latter does lose some detail in the translation. Each game feels great to play, but I do wish extra content from previous releases or remakes had been included.

Figuring out the pattern and applying a solution is an awesome feeling if everything is done correctly.

Simply put, the game blew me away in the first mission. It's not perfect, no game is, but for all of the minor problems the game's got, it's still a hell of a lot of fun.

No one in view of the Kinect sensor is safe from the fun that Happy Action Theater brings – at 800 MS credits, it's well worth it for anyone who has kids or entertains guests. In fact, I'd recommend MS bundle this with every new Kinect – this is a simple-yet-effective use of getting some unexpected fun from your 360.

The Finals is the kind of game that you play when you want to live an action film. You’ll most definitely find a playstyle you like in one or more of the three classes. While there are too many factors outside of player control to consider this a truly high-level competitive game, it sure is a fun time. That being said, if you’ve been disappointed by recent FPS titles, then try The Finals for some high octane gameplay.

Has the technical style of their earlier racing games to make for a fun, well played racing experience, and it has the necessary personality to make it more interesting than other typical racers.

If you're looking for a definitive motorcycle racing sim, look no further.

For true fans this title could be a no-brainer – it’s Metal Gear. More casual fans can rest easy that you really don’t have to know much about the series at all to enjoy this one. Both will have to weigh if that short of a run time warrants the cost.

The problem here is that there really isn't anything to justify spending the money on this game, especially compared to both Tiger Woods 07 and even Tiger Woods 06.

If you enjoyed Dragon Age: Origins, this is must have expansion.

If you can get past the lack of and arcade mode and unsatisfying unlockables, this game is great for taking along to pass the time.

Reanimal may be brief, but it leaves an impression. The game has no friction in terms of gameplay, reserving it all for a story that requires significant reflection to wrap your head around. Your mileage may vary, but I found its bleakness rewarding and evocative.

It is really a wonderful online game and the fun factor just goes into the stratosphere in my opinion. Highly recommended for online play, but pass by it for single-player.

All things considered, Entrenchment is more of a “completion” of the original Sins of a Solar Empire rather than an expansion.

The Sims 4 Cats & Dogs was the expansion I was most looking forward to, and it did not let me down. With the robust creation tool, the numerous new items, and great ways to play and interact with your pets allows you to make new memories and adds a new layer of depth to the game. With the exception of the veterinary job, this expansion is full of items and great new gameplay potentials, and in my opinion is one of the greatest expansions for The Sims 4.

Super Bomberman R Online is THE reason to get a Stadia account. While the paid premium pack can deal some unfair advantages with the initial release, the innovative mixture of classic Bomberman gameplay and a Battle Royale twist make this the best exclusive, and perhaps game available on Stadia, so far.

Lost in Random offers a highly enjoyable experience with rich, dynamic gameplay and an interesting plot. While it's weighed down by repetitive fetch quests and some bugs, it's easily still one of the most charming games I've played so far.

The amount of thought put into Lock's Quest and the amount of effort and detail in every corner is astounding.

Dungeon’s Hinterberg takes dungeon crawling, makes it a capitalist venture, and results in a personal story about the benefits and downfalls of tourism in our small towns. It’s a heartfelt story that charms you straight off the bat. The dungeons themselves are fun and feel more like a sightseeing holiday than terribly complex combat-fueled ventures, but if you’re looking for a chill time with hacking and slashing and hanging out with friends whilst saving the town from magic, then Dungeons of Hinterberg is a perfect holiday.

If you haven’t played Crash 4 yet, this is a competent version of the game if you don’t mind the drastically reduced visuals. However, it is slightly more glitchy and more difficult due to reduced visual clarity and the halved frame rate.

Diablo II: Resurrected delivers on the promise of a rebuilt original, without tampering with the soul of what made it amazing in the first place. With completely remastered graphics, all-new cutscenes, and console cross-progression, Diablo II: Resurrected takes us back to Hell, and it’s every bit as amazing as it was when we played it 20 years ago.

It takes some time to get used to the play style and the controls, so you might want to consider other options before going straight in.

BOXBOY! is a fun puzzle platformer that gets a lot of mileage with a simple concept.

Four months is a long time to wait for a game – especially when you’ve just picked up a new console with nothing else to play – but the wait was worth it. Just like the all-ages appeal of LEGO bricks and sets, LEGO City Undercover effortlessly rises above its station, representing the culmination of every LEGO game that came before it.

There are no secrets to Luftrasuers; it has no surprises. It comes to you with open hands, unwilling to explain if you’ll enjoy playing it because you’re reminiscing about how this style used to be cutting edge, or if you just need to see if there’s that perfect configuration that will take you all the way. It’s not about being good or bad, it just about being what it is and if that’s something you want.

The combat is what really sets the game apart, and once you play Reckoning you'll notice how stiff the combat in other RPGs is. I have to hand it to 38 Studios and Big Huge Games with their first RPG attempt. They have not only hit a home run, they hit it out of the park.

The Sims 4 Werewolf Game Pack introduces some exciting new things to the game, such as the ability to draw on your Sims fur and stamp on designs which gives you endless possibilities for customization. The new lunar cycle which directly affects your werewolf, and the werewolf packs along with the hierarchy are all fun. I enjoyed the way your Sims looks the closer they get to transforming. However, some of the social difficulties from being a werewolf, and the fury and destruction of items in your own home made things more difficult. I can’t see myself making my everyday Sim a werewolf, but this pack is definitely fun to play through at least once or twice!

Serial Cleaners is a unique entry into the stealth genre, featuring fun gameplay mechanics, a quirky cast of characters, and increasingly complex missions. Sneaking past guards, disposing of evidence, tackling innocent bystanders, and coming up with increasingly chaotic ways of dealing with tough situations never became dull, rather I was constantly excited for what came next. While there were a few sound issues and the on-screen text can be a bit small, I still found myself greatly enjoying my time as a cleaner for a mob boss.

If the guitar gets a tad better, and the drums a little more ... well more, then I'd have to give it aces nearly everywhere.

So, if you're jonesing for some Indiana on the go, you've got a great option with LEGO Indiana Jones.

Catherine Classic is a port to PC of one of the more unique and surreal gaming experiences around. Scary, thought provoking, and beautiful to behold, Catherine combines horror, romance, puzzles and platforming into a must play experience for anyone. Highly repeatable and challenging gameplay defines this true classic cult hit that begs to be discovered and rediscovered despite outwardly obscuring its true nature behind the standard expectations of a game in this style.

I’ve played quite a few Kirby games, and Kirby: Triple Deluxe may very well be my new favorite. It has perfected the platforming experience and has more content than even Kirby could fit into his fat mouth.

Mario Party Superstars is the culmination of all that is great about the Mario Party series. Sporting many of the best boards and mini-games pulled from the series’ long history and featuring multiple quality-of-life updates including online play, the ability to save and return to a game later, faster gameplay, a variety of different playstyles between the boards, a leveling system, and a ton of items to unlock, Mario Party Superstars may be the best entry yet in the long-running series. Here’s hoping Nintendo supports this release and adds new boards in future DLC.

The Sims 4 Dream Home Decorator Game Pack was just what I needed, as I really wanted to start designing some of my own homes and rooms. I very much enjoyed the hands-on experiences with each of the clients' unique homes. My only complaint is that some of the likes and dislikes are not obvious, especially when it comes to particular styles, and that the clients don’t tell you what you did wrong at the end of the renovation. The reveal at the end is super fun, and reminds me of being on a fixer upper TV show.

A solid entry in the franchise, but doesn’t do a whole lot to move the series forward other than presenting a new, far more likeable protagonist capable of harnessing multiple powers in a gorgeous representation of Seattle. It may look and sound next-gen, but its gameplay takes a few too many cues from the last.

If it were cheaper, if there were more to it, it would justify its $9.99 asking price. As it stands now, however, most people would probably be better off holding onto their money and looking elsewhere to satisfy their exploration fix.

Consume Me is a pure delight to indulge in with a style that makes the mundane life of a teenager look exciting and like something straight out of a manga, but with messaging that hits home and touches on very real topics that harm a lot of teenage girls. It’s interactive storytelling at its best with RPG elements and a management system that had me scratching my head and even resetting a few times, which added a layer of challenge that made me want to master its mechanics. This is a true gem that has definitely come from the heart of its devs but with comedy that had me in hysterics, I can’t wait to see what they do next.

Armello is a great addition to the Switch library, delivering a tabletop experience on the go. Beautiful to look at, this title boasts deep, engrossing mechanics for those who are willing to stick it out through the rather steep learning curve. While you won’t be able to hop onto the couch and engage in local multiplayer with your friends, Armello helps make up for this with solid AI and an online multiplayer option.

Ys: The Oath in Felghana is a fun action RPG.

If you love building decks, strategizing five moves ahead, and combating randomness, Dicey Dungeons is the game for you. If not, you still might want to consider giving it a try for the cute, game show aesthetic and chiptune soundtrack alone. And who knows, you might be surprised how much you enjoy the deck building.

1979 Revolution: Black Friday tells the story of the Iranian Revolution in the year within the title. It’s a beautiful, heart-wrenching story that makes you quickly fall for every character on screen.

Ys Seven is a straightforward adventuring JRPG that plays quickly, keeps things simple, and moves along with daring speed. The battles are fluid and emphasize the group dynamics of the entire party of characters. This upscaled release is a beautiful game that leaves something to be desired resolution wise, and has a flawed beginning that can frustrate many, but overall this game is another example of Ys’ long held excellence.

Overall, the best descriptor I can use for Lunar SSH is “charming”. While many things may feel antiquated or cliché, the entire package has this old-school familiarity that can’t help but bring a smile to your face.

Lies of P is a gorgeous, bloody, unforgiving game which builds off the well-tread souls template to create a wholly original adventure that never ceases being a joy to explore and experience. With top tier combat, fantastic enemy and boss designs, and intricate and often interweaving areas to explore, the game remains fresh despite the 30+ hours required for a first playthrough. I may be a sucker for these types of games, but Lies of P hit absolutely every note needed to draw me into its often grotesque yet surprisingly emotional world. Lies of P may be based on a well-known and over told fairy tale, but watching it unfold in a mature setting with a likable cast of characters and dire stakes made the story that much more enthralling.

Smooth gameplay, a variety of animations, and interesting game modes take the sting off of the lack of licensed teams. FIFA may wear the crown, but PES is a worthy rival.

Tomba! Special Edition perfectly preserves the 1997 classic. The game is just as good as it was back then, and perhaps even better now with tons of quality of life features and extras. This is an incredibly special game, and I hope it finally gets the recognition it deserves.

It is well rounded, filled with features that you wouldn’t expect in a handheld, and it is a blast to play.

Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 Plus performs well on Switch, with only a few fits of noticeable slowdown while in handheld mode. The Plus 2P mode is a nice addition, but sadly lacks the content available in the main game. If you’re looking for a fun and quick distraction for a few minutes every once in a while, this game may be right up your alley.

Card Shark is unlike any game you’ve played before. As a card game where you don’t actually play cards, learning and executing various methods of cheating is a ton of fun. The historical setting contributes to the conspiracy central to the story, while adding its own colorful cast of enjoyable characters in the gorgeous setting of 18th century France.

The Vita has become a surprisingly good system for fans of fighting games, and DOA5+ is an excellent edition to the family.

The Crown of the Sunken King is a very promising start to a challenging trilogy. The added puzzles, tougher bosses, and unique environments make this DLC a must-have for any Dark Souls fans and a welcome addition to a game that already offers so many unique challenges.

A bit of a paradox. While the graphics are poor, the sound is much more developed. The controls are great for while on foot, but vehicles take some adjustment.

There are a variety of weapons, abilities, items, and more at your disposal, as you would expect from a medieval dark fantasy. There are plenty of options to choose from so you can play your way, whether you want to go in stealthily or go in swinging. Playstyles can also be changed on the go, especially as you find new gear along the way. This is just a snippet of the overall picture of Tainted Grail. So far, the package we have been presented with feels familiar but also fresh and exciting, and I can’t wait to give you all a more in-depth breakdown.

Somehow Bizarre managed a way to keep the old gameplay intact while introducing new elements that make the game feel fresh.

Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX excels in all the right places as a fun and portable rhythm game, but doesn’t quite impress with its multitude of extra content. I do commend it for giving the player plenty of bang for their buck, even if it’s mostly forgettable.

All in all, with Bit.Trip Core you're getting a good game for a good price that simultaneously looks backward into gaming's brief but storied past and forward to a genre that's finding itself more and more popular.

Frontier Developments have done a magnificent job of creating an affordable universe that is fun to play. With tons of game styles and the entirety of the Milky Way to explore, this one is truly for space sim buffs with one caveat – if you’re feeling lost, we recommend you check out video tutorials online.

Ys X boldly sails into uncharted waters. It’s a sturdy vessel of combat, exploration, and heart, even if some of its individual parts could use further refinement. Ys X may not be my favorite Ys, but it does an excellent job of reminding me why Ys is my favorite.

It is not as razzle or dazzle as "SSX 3," but it brings a more realistic snowboarding feel to the table. You can even go online with 7 other people and help each other or compete against each other.

Virgo Versus the Zodiac is clearly inspired by other titles like the Mario RPGs and Undertale but its unique humor and stellar writing help it stand apart. This is a fresh RPG that is incredibly fun from start to finish. While not quite at the level of Undertale, this is not a game to miss if you love unique RPGs.