The Wonderful 101 is difficult to master, but the fact that it’s difficult to learn is what will hamper the progress of many would-be adventurers looking to join the battle against the GEATHJERK.

Code Name S.T.E.A.M. blazes ahead with entertaining characters, a robust host of missions, and engaging combat. Just the right amount of difficulty will keep any strategy fan engaged, and collectibles and multiplayer will keep you in long after the credits roll. Nintendo’s IP is going at only one speed: full S.T.E.A.M. ahead.

Yuppie Psycho turns a workplace satire into a survival horror adventure, and does right by both parts of that strange formula. Despite some frustration from its punishing difficulty, Yuppie Psycho is a surreal but cogent parody that’s well worth clocking in for.

Nairi: Tower of Shirin is a witty, cute, and quirky point-and-click adventure. Silly and slightly morbid, Nairi shines with unique characters, hand-drawn artwork, and challenging but fair puzzles. It is held back slightly by some confusing navigation, a few bugs, and the inability to save your progress, but this charming little gem is a must-play for fans of the genre.

While I can't call it a worthy successor to the more recent titles, it does manage to approximate the feel of a Metroid game. For the first and only title that Nintendo has let out of the barn, I'd have to say it is a worthy, if incomplete, effort.

Westerado: Double Barreled has its issues, but it provides a grand adventure on a small scale and lets you find something new each time you play.

Side missions are decidedly absent, the sandbox has no toys to play with, the combat mechanic is a little rough, and you'll spend as much time driving around as you do watching cutscenes. Thankfully the story is decent and different than other crime-based titles, even if it is a completely linear affair.

Sudden Strike 4 is a great example of a challenging real time strategy game without all of the ‘dirt farming’ aspects of other titles. It requires real thought instead of simply pouring all units into the path of the enemy. There are a few hiccups in terms of pathing and AI, as well as a baffling choice for voicework, but the game has more high points than low. It would also be nice if there was just a little more handholding to bring in new players, but overall Sudden Strike 4 is a welcome addition to the genre.

Scott Pilgrim polishes up the fighting mechanics while still feeling very much in the spirit of the original. EX conveys a different kind of vibe, but it's just as potent and, importantly, fun to experience.

Amplitude hits both highs and lows, but is the kind of score-hunting, high difficulty challenge that rhythm fans will love if they’re looking for something fresh. A solid revival for a pillar of the genre.

RiME is a beautiful game that excels in its presentation and tells a compelling narrative. Although it’s held back by technical issues and simplistic puzzles, it’s well-worth the price of admission.

FIFA 15 is a very good game. The only real issue is that it all seems very safe, when risks are needed to keep annual franchises alive.

If anything, the problem is that ‘timekillers’ happen to be in abundance nowadays – chances are you’re more likely to turn to your cell phone apps before you’ll come back to Kersploosh! after you’ve beaten it. On the other hand, it really is a fun, charming game the first time around, and at $2.99 it’s an easy to justify purchase for someone who wants a refreshing bit of fast fun on their 3DS.

Toren has great style and a compelling story to tell. Though it’s dragged down by its gameplay, it’s still far more than worth the asking price for the experience it offers.

Bursting with sophomoric charm and absurd sexiness, Senran Kagura Shinovi Versus will provoke either cringing or laughter depending on who’s playing it. What it lacks in maturity it makes up for with a refreshing lack of seriousness, and it presents it all in a content-laden game filled with easy, straightforward 3D ass-kicking.

After 52 hours of play, Diplomacy is Not an Option has captured my attention in a way most games these days can’t. It’s an old-school style RTS that demands commitment and a dedication to “get good”. It asks a lot from the player and does many things right while stumbling in a few areas.

You need to be aware that this is not the high-speed game like Virtual-On, or Armored Core tends to be, but more of a giant robot chess match. If you are up for that sort of war, we’ll keep a spot open for you on the GT Goonsquad.

All of the minigames in Game & Wario are decently fun, and some definitely have more long term gaming legs than others, but your enjoyment will ultimately come down to how much stamina you have for another minigame collection — because I’m honestly not sure if I have the stomach for any more.

Dodgeball Academia hits you with vibrant, fun characters, quirky one liners, and gameplay that is almost perfectly crafted around this favorite childhood pastime. It’s wild no one has thought to make this earlier, but it’s great Pocket Trap did with the artistic direction of Ivan Freire.

If you've got a Kinect gathering dust, you need to get it plugged back in. While Fable: The Journey has its fair share of issues, it is certainly one of the best non-dance games for the Kinect.

Sega Ages: Puyo Puyo 2 is a blast from the past for anyone wanting to explore the series roots. Its display options toy with your nostalgia while the added perk of online play makes another reason to check out the classic block-dropping competitive puzzle series. If you already have several Puyo Puyo titles, however, you may not be missing much.

It’s a shame, since the Ys series deserves more attention than it gets. A little more polish could have really brought it out to the forefront.

The inclusion of online play is a great bonus for a PSP racing game. With a few more tracks and a bit more background sound, AOFP could have been a terrific game.

Unfortunately, some basic gameplay decisions with the way the camera is handled and the way weapons and 'mechs are implemented hold this title back from its full potential.

Featuring a great value of three games in the package, the Persona Dancing Endless Night Collection is the best way to experience Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight and Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight. While a bit grindy later on, some killer tracks, entertaining gameplay, and a refreshing aesthetic, the games in this collection are chart-toppers.

Cannibal Cuisine is a great little spin on the cooking genre, and it’s a blast with friends. While some UI and balance issues make for rough edges on the fun, the goofy and grisly nature make it a great addition for your cooperative craziness.

Pokemon Shining Pearl and Brilliant Diamond, despite ignoring some of the original's issues, is a great remake that runs remarkably well and sports excellent visuals.

Just Dance 2018 is a groovy addition to any party. A fun time to be had by all, the addition of Just Dance Unlimited and the ability to use two Joy-Con controllers for a few songs is a welcome treat for Switch owners.

With hundreds of hours of content, this is the AAA title we’ve all been waiting for. While the controls can be occasionally clunky, Bethesda has delivered one of their best games, but in a whole new way. It won’t likely replace your modded-to-death PC version, but there’s something downright visceral about stepping into the boots of the Dragonborn in VR.

Pokemon Shining Pearl and Brilliant Diamond, despite ignoring some of the original's issues, is a great remake that runs remarkably well and sports excellent visuals.

Albino Lullaby: Episode 1 offers a genuinely fresh take on the horror genre, with a bright color palette, a topsy turvy environment, and nuanced enemies. In spite of its low points, it’s definitely worth experiencing. With time it should become more polished, but for now if you want to play it, you’ll have to brace yourself for bugs.

Reviving the gameplay of classics is dangerous — too often our memories betray us, forgetting the problems that game development has overcome over the years.

There’s nothing new here and if you’ve played Maneater on other platforms you need to ask yourself if the portable nature of the Switch makes it worth double dipping on this one. I enjoyed the initial release and I am glad this title made it to Nintendo’s system, it’s done so with only relatively minor sacrifices making it a pleasure to dive back in!

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime is a cute, simple game about space travel and the power of love. Though you have the option of flying solo, take the title’s advice and play through this game with a friend for the optimal experience.

Blasphemous 2 continues the achievements set by its predecessor while adding three new ways to fight. Not straying outside the lines, Blasphemous 2 is simply more Blasphemous at the end of the day.

Ninja Gaiden 4 answers the call for a Ninja Gaiden successor. The gameplay offers plenty to enjoy for series veterans and newcomers alike, although the elements surrounding the combat don't put up as good of a fight.

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora has some excellent mechanical depth let down by repetitive missions and a very safe story. When you’re flowing through the environment taking out RDA soldiers with volleys of arrows, it feels fantastic. Unfortunately, the game doesn’t provide many opportunities to use the full breadth of its systems. Still, it’s drop dead gorgeous and very fun for what it is.

Gurumin 3D does what it needs to, and does it well. A charming throwback in form and function to classic PS1 RPGs, this re-release is a fun romp down memory lane.

While unsurprisingly riddled with bugs at launch, and with other aspects just missing (DLC and scopes, as an example), the community steps in to make this incredible game one of the best titles on the VR platform. Delivering nearly 80 hours of gameplay, even without addons, it’s easily the largest and most compelling reason to own a VR HMD.

This game is simply fun to play and will make you remember the good old days of "Contra" (if any of you remember those).

Gunball is developer REDSpace’s freshman VR effort, and it’s not too shabby. REDSpace has worked on kid-focused titles like website for The Powerpuff Girls, The Nick App for Nickelodeon, and The Cartoon Network’s micro-game “Anything” app, so this is a step in a new direction for them. While Gunball is simple in execution, it’s elegant in its simplicity, and fun for the whole family at a fairly reasonable price.

ScreamRide offers an experience that is fresh, deep and a blast to play. Despite its lack of multiplayer I kept coming back for more to test my creativity and wreak as much havoc as possible.

Ultra Street Fighter IV for the PS4 is the comprehensive, definitive edition of one of the best fighting games around. While you might want to be the competitive type if you plan to play, there’s something here for the warrior in everyone. Just be wary of early launch bugs.

Super Neptunia RPG is a fascinating spin-off for the Neptunia franchise. With a switch to 2D and a reworked combat system, you get a nice change of pace for the series. At the same time, the combat system is simplistic and might turn off some players.

Layton’s Mystery Journey: Katrielle and Millionaires’ Conspiracy is a great mobile foray into the mainline Layton series. While the overall story is a tad uninteresting, the excellent puzzle gameplay and tons of replay value more than make up for it. This is a title worthy of its franchise’s reputation.

Colossal Cave is a fascinating game, and this modern remake brings the wonder of a text adventure to life in full 3D. It’s streamlined with a few updates, while still keeping the spirit of the original. The game has more than a few issues, but is well worth playing for a magical adventure.

Triangle Strategy boasts a deep story with an involved battle system that remains fun throughout and approachable to those who might not have a strategic head. The cutscenes can be overly long and choices don’t have as big of an impact as they should, but it’s still a great strategy game that you can really sink your teeth into.

The House of Wolves is easily the best of the two expansions currently available, only predicated by the fact you’ll need friends to play it with to explore the full birth of its features.

While not every gambit succeeds, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes delivers us the spiritual successor we all dared to hope for, but never expected to get. While things like the War Mode and some balance issues and bugs will require additional attention, there’s a great JRPG here worth playing.

Kayak VR: Mirage is a testament to the power of the PlayStation VR2 and a showcase for those who want to show their friends and family what VR is all about. While more of an experience than a full-fledged game, Kayak VR manages to provide a gorgeous, realistic, memorable, and relaxing experience which accurately mimics real kayaking and is almost certain to make you begin plans for your next vacation.

From beautiful airplane models and solid sound work, to a very accessible flight model that works for any skill level, World of Warplanes is a worthy successor for Wargaming’s stable of titles. It does need a bit more time in the hangar, but you can’t beat the price of entry.

The added improvements in graphics and audio will certainly outweigh any minor annoyances the Xbox One version brings.

The 15-20 hour average completion time might be shorter than what many JRPG fans would expect, but it is also a good entry point for newcomers without being a daunting 100+ hour experience. It is safe to say that I am Setsuna is a worthwhile journey.

Whether this is your first experience with the satirical duology or a revisit to the tale, Cthulhu Saves Christmas is a short and sweet RPG that will have you laughing until Santa decides to leave the North Pole for Christmas this year. (spoiler: that’s a long time!) Its new and improved turn-based system will entertain even the most curmudgeonly jaded RPG fan.

Sparc is what would happen if racquetball existed in the world of TRON. With extensive customization, a handful of modes, and frantic well-executed gameplay, the only thing holding this game back is CCP’s recent push away from the VR table. This is doubly unfortunate as what’s here is a fantastic platform on which to build.

Touhou: New World offers a light-hearted RPG adventure set in a colorful location. Fluid combat backed by a stellar soundtrack makes this a great weekend binge.

Ritual of the Moon is a reflection of life, tranquility, and choice that is more of an experience than a game. The paper aesthetic and color palette fit the tone perfectly. There's not much in terms of content, but the short bursts are nice each day.

WWE 2K26 offers a little something for everyone. With the biggest roster to date and more match choices than ever before, wrestling has never felt so good. Sadly, animation and face-scanning issues put a pin in the fun very quickly. Some objects and match types could be more responsive to player input.

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.

WarioWare: Get It Together, despite its rather short campaign, features over 200 incredibly funny, absurd, and downright creative microgames for players to complete. You’ll find yourself laughing your way through the experience, fighting with your friends over who failed a game, and savoring your triumphs over the late game’s harder challenges. The addition of the Emporium, Break Room, Missions, Play-O-Pedia, and Wario Cup are nice and will keep the game fresh for many players well after they complete the story, but a few players may not enjoy the grind to unlock all the Prezzies available. As it stands, WarioWare: Get It Together is a great, though short-lived, game – perfect for a night in with a friend.

This Genki-sized update is more than just a polish job, it’s the whole enchilada. With visual upgrades and a dash of physics improvements, it’s sure to draw any Saints Row fan in all over again. Now we’ve just gotta get rid of the Genki-sized bugs.

Capturing the cyberpunk aesthetic perfectly, The Ascent is a fantastic example of twinstick shooters with a few tricks of its own. There are a few rough edges, especially with online multiplayer, but the RPG elements and gorgeous graphics and voice work more than keep you locked into this neon soaked universe.

Valkyrie Elysium has an incredibly fun combat system at its base along with some light platforming and RPG elements, however it doesn’t go too far beyond that. The rote story is held up by good twists and likable characters, but I can’t help but see massive potential just beyond what the game presents. Still, if you’re an action game junkie like me, this is well worth your time and more.

It’s still a bit rough around the edges, but Ooblets is a quirky combination of monster collecting RPG and farming sim. The humor and characters are incredibly charming, and the core gameplay loop is a ton of fun. For every annoying dungeon, there’s some cute Ooblets to battle and collect just around the corner. What Ooblets lacks in polish, it makes up for in charm.

Stellaris captures the wonder of exploring space and colonizing the stars, but gets bogged down when the borders freeze and negotiations start. A solid foundation of things to come and an excellent entry-level grand strategy game, this will hopefully be a good start for a greater experience to come.

Even after a week of finishing Shuten Order, I am still pondering how I feel. It's an excellent experience I overall enjoyed, yet left a tad bit unsatisfied at where the adventure ended. Strangely, I feel this is its own unique merit. A destination that invites you to reflect back on the journey, wishing to see more of the path forward, but content with the distance that has been trekked. Kodaka, Nakazawa, and the writing team’s simultaneous celebration and critique of religion is one I found thoughtfully uplifting just as much as it is deeply disturbing. A take that plays on familiarity to craft something subversive. Shuten Order may not reach the peaks present in their other works (thankfully it also avoids the pitfalls), but it is a deeply introspective murder mystery that left me lost in thought about the nature of my own existence past its conclusion.

The year that Kylotonn took to get WRC 8 back into the top contenders of rally games was worth it. Its Career mode alone is enough to make you sit down for hours and plan out how to manage your team, drive your car, and meet the conditions of your contract. With the car’s level of detail being extremely high, decent driving mechanics, and the bevvy of game modes being at an all-time high, this is a racing game that any fan of racing should absolutely try.

The Outer Worlds is an awesome game, so it’s nice to have the option to enjoy it with all the amenities of a new generation of hardware. While the performance is a bit iffy, the visuals really pop, and the updated character models add to your immersion in this imaginative space adventure. It’s no surprise we’ve got a second one on the way, and now you can get ready for the sequel on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S in style.

No matter the platform, Overwatch is still Overwatch. Everything from every other version of the game is here, warts and all. Gyro aiming and portable play, while nice, don’t offer enough of a reason to choose this version over another if you already own the game on a different platform. But if it’s your first time or just want to play on Switch, go for it; this is a fine port.

Samurai Warriors 5 is a great way for newcomers to jump into the long-running series. With a redesigned cast and amazing new gameplay mechanics, this marks a new era for the franchise.

When you return to a return, you risk drowning in sentiment to the detriment of the experience. Instead, Return to Dream Land Deluxe skillfully channels its sentiments to refresh Kirby’s legacy and add something new on top of it. It is perhaps the most Kirby game to ever Kirby, and there's nothing wrong with that.

I wish Pirates of the Caribbean was easier to get in to than it is, but it's worth your time if you're willing to hang in there.

Remedy games are about the experience, and the team nailed that with FBC: Firebreak. While I wouldn’t say it’s in the upper echelon of their titles, Firebreak succeeds in being an entertaining cooperative adventure into the depths of the Oldest House. It’s fresh in a way only Remedy can make; a worthwhile experiment. Thanks to them, I’ll never look at sticky notes the same again.

The main benefits are the intriguing single-player scenarios and the tweaks to make warfare a more feasible strategy.

An authentic reimagining of the first act as a 30+ hour action-oriented thrill ride with new sub-plots, characters, and an elegant, modern interpretation of the ATB combat system. The remake is still best experienced on consoles, however, where solid performance and controls can be guaranteed.

Massive in scope and improving on its predecessor, Middle-earth: Shadow of War is a triumph in every way that matters. While certain aspects are underdeveloped, or simplified to embrace player choice, the Nemesis 2.0 system, combat improvements, and genuinely engaging combat system keep things fresh for the 40 hour adventure. If only they hadn’t followed the movies and extended the ending well past its welcome.

While a few levels can be frustrating, the rest of the game’s ingenuity, cleverness, and execution more than make up for it. If you’re willing to go through the initial slog, Professor Lupo has something truly special in store for you.

Whether you’re a Zelda fan or a Dynasty Warriors gamer there’s a lot to be happy about in this mash-up title.

The definitive way to experience the forefather of the survival horror genre. There may be some elements that are frustratingly outdated but the game is still terrifying and plenty of fun to play.

The Nintendo Switch is steadily increasing its plethora of party games, and The Jackbox Party Pack 3 is a perfect addition to zany multiplayer experiences. With five unique titles from which to choose, its charming presentation and hilarious challenges more than make up for its sometimes uneven mechanics. You’ll be screaming all night… in laughter, of course.

Shooty Fruity is a strange, delightful VR game which combines the stress of simulation with the catharsis of a shooter. Rounds are short, frantic five-minute affairs which will test your ability to multitask, identify a threat, prioritize, and your aim. A hilariously fun and challenging title, Shooty Fruity is just as much fun for the VR fanatic as it is for the casual player.

Keeping the beat in Jungle Rumble is a short but enjoyable experience. Those looking for a quick rhythm or puzzle fix on their Vita will find it here.

You might forget the STROL virus, or that you are tackling insurgents and mutants, but you won’t forget just how much fun you have, solo or with a local co-op friend, with the non-stop action of Solstice Chronicles: MIA. While there are still some areas to be polished, and online multiplayer is unfortunately missing, Solstice manages to translate the souls of games like Alien Breed and Helldivers into a challenging two-player or solo adventure.

A deceptively difficult shooter, Lovely Planet Arcade mixes adorable graphics with addictive action and a great soundtrack.

Greedfall is a highly ambitious step for Spiders, and one that shows that they are hitting their stride. With excellent voice acting and gorgeous environments, Greedfall serves as a grand adventure in a genre that is sorely needing a fresh face. There are still some bugs to crush, but once those are gone, only a memorable RPG capable of filling the open world RPG void will remain.

Anthem’s rich storytelling and engaging combat lays the foundation for Bioware’s newest adventure. While there are plenty of quality of life improvements to be made, Anthem’s ambitious approach to the looter-shooter genre is encouraging given the development team’s steadfast community engagement. With a roadmap stretching far into the horizon, we’ll be flying around the world of Anthem for a long time to come.

As furry visual novels go, Winds of Change is in the upper echelon. Leaps and bounds from its predecessor, this follow-up boasts a charming cast of characters, wonderful character models, and some great storytelling. If you want a fantasy tail… erm, tale to sink your teeth into, this is one you should check out.

Overall, I’ve had a great time with Fate/EXTELLA thus far. The presentation is a bit rough around the edges, the story is incredibly confusing (I’m only really understanding bits since I’m familiar with the universe — I can’t imagine what it must be like playing this game with no context at all), and of course, Warriors-type gameplay can get repetitive and rarely is anything new done to shake up the general formula. However, the game provides plenty of ways to break up the monotony of the basic combat, and even if I need to take a break between sessions, I still have a blast just feeling like an overpowered one-man-army and defeating scores of enemies at a time. At the very least, it will tide me over until the more polished Fire Emblem Warriors arrives later this year.

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.

Nicalis’ marriage of puzzle and fighting game elements in the fan service-heavy Crystal Crisis coalesces in a largely satisfying experience. While the roster can feel unbalanced, loading times can be long and the story mode feels trite, the overarching, nuanced gameplay will keep players strategizing and returning to Crystal Crisis time and time again.

The length of the missions works well for a portable game, and having relatively short load times helps.

Dave the Diver is a whacky, 2D/3D game that mixes several genres to form a fun adventure with silly characters and never a shortage of things to do. Each trip into the mysterious Blue Hole is different, and you’ll have plenty of quests and upgrades to work on. Spend your days diving, and your nights running a sushi bar. If you are looking for a great balance of not too hard, not too easy, Dave the Diver is it. While some of the missions can get kind of hairy, managing your resources is what it’s all about. The story is fun, and I really enjoyed the MarinCa app that gives us facts about sea creatures we catch!

Pato Box takes the Punch-Out!! fighting style and gives it a Madworld aesthetic, resulting in an unexpectedly wonderful combination. The 3D sections aren't the most exciting, but the boss fights more than make up for that. Pato Box offers an intense challenge that will put your gaming skills to the test, but also potentially frustrate you at the same time.

New Super Lucky’s Tale is a charming platforming with tons of variety in its theming and level design that, while short and easy, will put a smile on your face and remind you of classic platformers like Spyro the Dragon.

The depth on offer in Cities Skylines is staggering, which is why being able to pick that up and take it with you is so exceptional. There is a limit to how successfully the console version is able to emulate the PC experience, but it does a good enough job that I can’t recommend the game enough to the Switch owner hankering for a city building game for their favorite hybrid console.

Godfall is a godlike load of fun to play. I am a firm believer in giving games a second chance and this one is no exception. Gameplay is smooth and uncomplicated, as is really the rest of it, making it easier to get into, and it’s oh-so-satisfying.

The newest installment in the Far Cry franchise runs into a few hiccups, most namely its tiring combat system. The new taming/companion system is well executed and Ubisoft has crafted a respectable amount of detail with their sculpture of 10,000 BCE. While it sometimes feels like just more Far Cry, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Outriders Worldslayer is more Outriders, and that’s not a bad thing. While the story doesn’t do much, the game as a whole is still one of the most fun third person shooters out there right now, with a feel to the gameplay that is a blast to play. The addition of the Trials of Tarya Gratar end game content is worth every penny, and the new gear, skills, and Apocalypse tiers ensure you’ll want to stick around and grind for a good while.