With better focus on what players want, including four (useful!) costumes per character, a plethora of villians and heroes from Marvel lore, better visuals, tighter RPG elements, less of the Chatty-Cathy moments, and FAR more tough boss and mini-boss battles, Marvel Ultimate Alliance could be the geekfest that keeps players wrapped onto whatever platform they chose like a pair of tight blue spandex with a big 4 on the chest.

The game is simple for when you want exactly that, but you can't help but feel like it could be so much more.

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.

Tales of Arise - Beyond the Dawn might not be the most necessary followup ever made and you’ve seen this kind of story told in RPGs many times before, but it's still delightful nonetheless. Combat remains a blast, the story is thoughtful with a fantastic final boss, and the world feels like a realistic impression of what a year after global slavery would be like. Beyond the Dawn is exactly what it should be, nothing more and nothing less.

It's a good extension of the series and a nice way to introduce the older Aerosmith fan base.

At Forty dollars this compilation is worth every penny for seven arcade perfect translations.

A solid game, but the sluggish gameplay holds it back considerably.

The sound that was used before is here to stay, so I hope you enjoy Japanese Techno-Rock because that is what is coming in the future after the apocalypse...hmmm...guess that makes sense on second thought.

Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy may not have an interesting plot, but the game’s likeable characters, a plethora of puzzles, and beautiful artwork are enough to see it through to the end. While it is a bit too easy for my taste, it’s still a fun enough journey.

Iron Danger is an interesting story of a young woman who obtains magical powers from a shard impaling her. The tactical combat and ARPG mechanics make for clever gameplay and a lack of grinding, although some fights are frustrating. The story itself is good, but the ending drags it down a lot by leaving you unsatisfied and wanting more.

My Time at Portia is not just a simulator, it’s an adventure game loaded with things to do, people to talk to (and potentially romance), ruins to explore, and things to create. It’s an addicting romp that keeps you playing the next day in hopes of finally completing that one goal only to create another one in the process.

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.

The Sims Mobile is an addictive and fun game that you can play as much or as little as you want while still making money and progress. Whether I had half an hour or a couple minutes, I was always able to send my Sim to do something productive, which allowed me to make great progress throughout the day. The game runs fantastic and I have very few complaints about this great entry in The Sims franchise.

Another Code: Recollection brings together puzzle-solving, fun stories with twists and turns, and very interesting characters and lore all in one place. This is a wonderful remake of the games that came out in 2005 and 2009. While the games aren’t too long, together, they make for a fun time by yourself or solving the mysteries with friends.

Despite all of the ways that Outriders is stuck in the past, the moment to moment gameplay is so compelling that it’s impossible to say it’s not a blast -- especially with friends. It’s also remarkably expansive in its crafting and skill trees, with plenty of ways to customize your playstyle. I may not be that invested in the story, and this certainly isn’t that different from most first person shooters, but Outriders is well worth the time and effort. Even if there may be extra effort put in because of crappy server connections.

SNK Gals’ Fighters is a reminder of why fighting games didn’t really work on portable consoles back in the day. While the additions to this port are nice and the game looks good, the game itself feels unresponsive and the controls are too complex for its own good.

Monster Energy Supercross - The Official Videogame 6 is a highly polished, excellent entry to the Monster Energy Supercross series that has me excited to keep coming back for more races. The updates to the game’s physics especially had me feeling like I was more in control of my riding experience than ever before. Unfortunately, the Supercross Academy contributed very little to this improved experience and the new Rhythm Attack mode left something to be desired as well.

While the Force Unleashed might not completely live up to the incredible hype befitting a Star Wars title, it is still a worthy entry into the Universe.

A beautiful game which features a host of challenging boss battles require tactical thinking, useful characters, and a big world to explore, Earthlock delivers a solid experience which scratches the turn-based RPG itch. Its fourteen hours of game play swells thanks to a ton of side quests, hidden bosses, and lots of things to craft and collect, and is a true indie delight for any fan of the genre.

Sonic Superstars represents some of the best 2D platforming has to offer. It has constant surprises while still offering a ton of room for mastery. The game is a delight from start to finish and beyond.

All in all, AdvenChewers isn’t a bad distraction, and for a buck there are much worse options out there.

Star Ocean: First Departure R is an above average game that has the potential to be great. While the story, characters, and world are fun to experience, a dull battle system, uncooperative AI, and reliance on random chance bring it down too much.

It was interesting seeing more from a company that I thought handled primarily fighting games, and I also got to see the history of a company that is beloved by millions of gamers.

Yooka-Laylee is a fun platformer, despite some technical issues and outdated mechanics. If platforming wasn’t your thing in the ‘90s, there’s little here to change your mind now, but fans of the genre – and the Kickstarter backers that brought it back to life – can rest assured that they’re getting exactly what they wanted.

With a fresh story, AAA quality and length to match, excellent tech, and fantastic gameplay, Marvel’s Iron Man VR is the reason to own the PSVR. If you own Sony’s HMD, this game is a must-have for your library.

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is the best representation of the series’ storyline in over twenty years of games. While animations in cutscenes may be too stiff and there are occasional bugs, the simple yet difficult to master gameplay and the sidequests that succeed in building a world we’ve already come to love make this a must-play Dragon Ball experience.

Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge takes full advantage of Sony’s PlayStation VR2, breathing new life into the game with updated visuals, awesome haptic feedback, and a story worth remembering.

There’s a lot to like in Star Trucker, and it's bursting with potential. It’s also in need of some balance and tweaking. Still, what’s on offer is well worth the asking price, and should keep you trucking for a long while.

The game is realistic and fun, albeit an on-rails shooter at the core. Some parts of the game just beg to be replayed while others have you scratching your head why they aren't longer to begin with.

Werewolf: The Apocalypse - Heart of the Forest is a great visual novel with tons of impactful choices, great visuals, and excellent sound design. While it slowly loses steam after the introductory chapters, it’s still well worth multiple playthroughs.

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.

It seems that as soon as Relic Entertainment gave the reigns to Iron Lore Entertainment a bit of the soul that breathes life into Dawn of War was extinguished.

An amazing Jojo game, but a less than perfect fighting game. The massive roster and upgrades to the combat systems and visuals from the previous edition make this the definitive way to play Jojo’s All Star Battle. However, while enjoyable to fight offline, the poor netcode makes playing online a nightmare at times. The single player and local multiplayer experience somewhat makes up for this, but it’s a hard sell for those who aren’t already fans of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure.

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 is a huge step up from the original. While far from perfect, it’s an incredibly fun and silly time especially online with friends. When playing solo, there’s still a wealth of things to do too - it’s just an all around good time, despite the jank or perhaps because of it.

There are times that The Flame in the Flood feels like the world is against you. And it is. But that’s the mechanic you are dealing with here. You will die, a lot. If that runs counter to what you find fun, this game might not be for you. But if you’d like to try something entirely unique, look no further.

Pathfinder: Kingmaker sets up an epic story, expansive world, difficult combat, and lively characters, but all these elements eventually become tiresome. Its unforgiving difficulty and strict adherence to Pathfinder tabletop rules will likely turn away more players than it attracts, and while its kingdom management sim sets it apart from similar RPGs, no part of the game ever feels wholly original. Despite boldly putting players in the role of a king or queen, it never engages enough with the consequences of your decisions, or whether you have the right to make them at all.

This game is not fun, and should be played by no one on this planet. Period.

With some occasionally impenetrable difficulty and lack of online co-op, it feels like quite the disappointment by the time you put the controller down. If the rest of the game had been better designed, could it have risen above its brawler genre constraints? That’s a question to which we’ll never know the answer.

Muse Dash is an incredibly addictive rhythm game, especially if you're a fan of Japanese music. The cute characters and visuals match the overall anime-like tone of the game. Tons of songs to choose from will keep you busy for a good chunk of time, especially if you aim to do everything.

Infamous: First Light takes an interesting, flawed character and does nothing with her. Even at $15, it’s a vapid, empty, wasted opportunity. At least the combat is still fun, though.

If you are looking to sink your teeth into a challenging and graphically strong RTS game this may be what you are seeking especially in a time where there are not many options available in this genre right now. Just be prepared for a hard fight, and get ready to go it alone.

SCHiM is a wildly inventive platformer with a unique minimalist aesthetic, which is bolstered by creative gameplay and a steadfast focus on the human experience. I was surprised by the amount of emotional depth hidden within SCHiM’s shadow hopping platformer shell and appreciated becoming a small part of this world and its inhabitants. Though the premise is simple, SCHiM keeps things unique by constantly adding new challenges which utilizes light and darkness in creative ways, and I found myself consistently intrigued by where the story would go next.

Mario Strikers: Battle League presents a shockingly deep take on Soccer held up by some incredibly charming and expressive character animations. Sadly there’s not much to see outside of the core loop, and can quickly wear out its welcome as things start to feel too repetitive.

Not many games can touch you, let alone make you really think about not only the world around you but also your inner persona, who you would prefer to show to the world but often must keep hidden for the sake of keeping up appearances. Play this game.

Maybe I was looking for a better Star Wars experience like "Rogue Squadron" however I did not find it here.

For the curious and the creative, brimming with replay value, and fairly priced, Project Highrise is the game that SimTower should’ve been.

Minoria may not be Bombservice’s best game to date, but it may still be worth a look for action platformer fans looking for a challenge. Though its combat feels more frustrating than satisfying at times, the fundamentals of its swordplay are still solid. Add to that its excellent art and music, and there’s a lot to like here if you can overlook its underdeveloped story and exploration.

The Master Collection is just about as barebones as you can get, yet can still be recommended due to the inclusion of two of the best games ever made. Like most players, I was excited when the collection was first announced because I thought it would be a full blown remake or, at the very least, a remaster. Still, I had hours of fun replaying the first two entries, and would wholeheartedly recommend this collection to anybody that has not played the games before or does not own another means of playing them.

Star Wars Battlefront nails bringing home the original trilogy in a new and interesting way, but fails to substantiate the splendor in a meaningful way. A fun nostalgia trip that might barely tide you over until the new film, but not much longer.

For the people who have not played any of the games in the series up until this point, I would advise finding a copy of Armored Core 2 or 3 and play it first, as the difficulty in this one is not forgiving to anyone out of practice.

While the content shortage and cross-play challenges still exist, performance problems are eliminated, and bugs almost entirely eradicated by the next-gen console launch of The Avengers. Stability issues remain, but with the promise of a more consistent launch of content, the future is a little bit brighter for The Avengers.

Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain is a fun way to exercise your brain regularly. The competition aspect keeps the game fun and engaging if the single player isn’t up to snuff.

With exhilarating moment to moment gameplay, Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 delivers on its promise of longer shots, new gadgets, better contracts, and everything you’ve come to expect. Sure, it brings bugs and design choices that’ll make you scratch your head, but that’s no reason to avoid this one. Lock and load.

If you don't mind your fighting games on the simpler side you will find a lot to enjoy.

While the single-player has several issues, the multiplayer makes up for it. The $30 price tag helps as well. I wouldn’t recommend this to every fan of beat-em-ups, but if you can handle the unique Platinum flavor, then it’s worth trying out.

I am disappointed that this version got so poorly ported over from the PS2 version, and it should at the very least recommend the use of a game controller on the box, but ultimately it was a fun children's game that my son very easily picked up and enjoyed.

Sakura Wars is a great entry point to a fascinating series. If you wish Persona had a bit more action, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for here. While the “sexy misunderstandings” are cringe worthy, the characters are fun to interact with and the giant robots are a joy to pilot.

Dandara is an excellent game and I can’t believe I haven’t heard people talking about it. Its unique movement is accompanied by an equally unique world, soundtrack, and symbolic story that will fascinate lore nerds. While it’s controls may not support the precision combat asks of you, the Salt is definitely a world worth saving.

Evil West doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it doesn't have to. It's fun and a great time, which is all it needs to be. It reminds me of a wonderful B-movie; I watch it because I like to turn my brain off and just enjoy myself. Evil West is just a blast, and worth sinking your teeth into.

Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth - Hacker’s Memory is a fun mix of JRPG and simple investigation tactics taking place in a digital sugarland with tons of adorable creatures. When it is at its best, the scenery is beautiful and the game is complex fun, but it has lulls of dull look and sound as well. This game is a lot of fun and a unique experience for Digimon and RPG faithful.

If you have every version of Tony Hawk, then you’ll be impressed with how much has been added. If you used to play it but haven’t purchased any of the next gen titles, then it’s high time to get reacquainted with Tony Hawk again.

The Sweet Tour and bonus ending videos are worth the investment alone while we wait for the PS3 follow-up.

While the Vita port is mechanically sound, its disappointingly low resolution and awkward use of the rear touch screen is appalling. Yeah, you can play God of War on the go now – but you probably shouldn’t.

Baba Yaga is a good excuse for another adventure with Lara, but it doesn’t hook quite as deep as its base game. Besides an excellent boss fight and a few major moments, nothing here stands out from the fold.

At its core, Sneaky Bears VR is a wave-based shooter, but that doesn’t account for the excellent writing and genuinely funny premise. Sure, it’s a little short, but if you own a PSVR, this is a great title for younger audiences, as well as VR newcomers.

Folding in a fresh stable of mechs, and eight new weapons, Heavy Metal brings new ways to play. It also delivers a brand new mech in the Bull Shark, as well as specialization modules and two new lore-heavy mini-campaigns in the form of Flashpoints. Whether it’s your first flight, or if you are a seasoned veteran, Heavy Metal rounds out Battletech nicely.

While not the cream of the crop, Cuisine Royale is undoubtedly a high-tier contender in the echelons of the battle royale genre. It serves up a set course of craziness that is likely to satiate your craving for quality, competitive goodness.

A roguelike where discovery of what to do is as important as how to do it, A Rogue Escape is an imaginative blend of escape room discovery, storytelling, and all the interactive elements you could ask for. While it is relatively short, that doesn’t make the journey any less worthwhile.

Behind The Frame: The Perfect Scenery offers a beautiful blend of Ghibli-inspired visuals and light puzzling that uses a unique storytelling technique to deliver a touching tale of love. While the gameplay is a bit basic, this one is perfect for a rainy afternoon inside or a way to wind down after a long day at work.

I can’t pretend like I didn’t have any fun with Metallic Child and honestly I should probably give it more credit for getting me to play it to its conclusion, even though I usually skip games of this genre. But it has a repetitive nature, game breaking bugs, and heavy handed poorly paced story.

It plays smooth and fast, and like a bright flame it burns out earlier than it should.

A solid game that keeps the pace moving and balances the three classes very well.

The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes might not be very frightening, but it absolutely nails a tense atmosphere where every choice really does matter. With gorgeous visuals and a satisfying, well paced story, Supermassive has finally found their footing.

I did have fun with it, and I'd recommend it to those who can appreciate the presentation and aren't quickly frustrated by an AI that seems to have an unfair advantage.

Dreamfall Chapters is a strong adventure game, held back only by the required knowledge base for entry. A fascinating game with interwoven tales, beautiful set pieces and believeable protagonists, Dreamfall is going strong and only getting started.

The game certainly does have hiccups here and there and once you get inside the buildings it is obvious the developers went a little too far in making them too big.

Brothers in Arms: War Stories would have seriously benefited from some focus group testing, especially considering the fact that playing the game can bring on physical pain. It isn't a bad game, it just...really doesn't feel necessary.

While it isn't exactly a deep or story-driven tour de force, it is pure mindless fun and incredibly addictive.

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.

Dragon Quest Treasures is a bland adventure that sucks out everything that makes the franchise charming. There’s quite a lot to do in the game, but none of it is fun or feels good. Playing this game feels more like checking things off your to-do list: the act of crossing things off may offer a hint of satisfaction, but you don’t actually like doing the tasks on it.

I personally enjoy the 2D Castlevania titles, so I was skeptical to play Mirror of Fate. Of course, I was also skeptical of another developer taking over one of the most beloved franchises in gaming history, and that turned out pretty great. Now we see MercurySteam taking the same approach to the franchise in the handheld space, and again with decent results.

Dead Rising 4 is bloody, chaotic, and downright hilarious. If you’re looking to turn your brain off this holiday season, and de-stress with gratuitous violence, this is the game for you.

Mushroom Wars 2 is a challenging yet fun real-time strategy game that focuses on battles between mushroom people. The gameplay takes a minute to get used to, but once you get acclimated, you'll be killing it. Hero skills are a cool addition that can turn the tide of battle if used correctly. There are a ton of missions that will give you hours of playtime.

This is one game that will kick your butt if you don’t use your brain. The best part is how it keeps you on your toes by forcing you to alter strategies to fit the situation, which is something far too many games ignore.

Hatoful Boyfriend tells an endearingly crazy story that will have you smiling, laughing, crying and feverishly turning the virtual page. It takes some buy-in, but pays off if you’re looking for something way off the beaten path.

I think it's fair to say that Spy X Anya is for a very specific crowd of people. If you like Animal Crossing and you love the Forger household along with some of their compatriots, this is probably the game for you. You might play a pretty decent chunk of it like I did, and get your money's worth. But honestly I can only recommend picking this up on sale. What's here is perfectly functional yet barebones and I don't think that's enough to rate it highly. With over 32-story missions, 49 side missions, and 51 challenge missions, you have a lot of game to enjoy if this sounds appealing to you. Or maybe giving Yor a ponytail for the entire game gives you gender euphoria and that makes Spy X Anya the perfect game.

As the credits roll on this 11 hour journey, I’m pleasantly surprised to see such a great title come out of a brand new studio. The team at DONTNOD Entertainment have brought something unique to the table, giving us not only beautiful graphics and incredible sound, but also a new combat approach wrapped around a very engaging storyline.

Layers of Fear is an incredible, mind-bending horror game. The gorgeous environments are both detailed and terrifying, and the story will captivate you as you work to unravel all the threads. What it lacks in polish it makes up for in how obsessed you’ll become with finishing the masterpiece.

When all is said and done, Serious Sam 3 is just plain refreshing. It's nice to have a game that relies so much on flat-out enemy decimation, and which does it so well, so beautifully, and while providing at least the opportunity to share the experience with friends online.

Zombie Army 4: Dead War is a great addition to the franchise, even if it's your first time experiencing it. The gunplay is awesome, especially if you activate a kill cam shot. The enemies provide a tough challenge, so be careful and don't get cocky. You can do it alone, but I highly recommend shooting with a buddy.

No amount of visual updates can mask the fact that Type-0 was clearly never designed to be on consoles. What great ideas it has are buried under a story that’s rendered meaningless and a camera that prevents you from seeing most of them in the first place.

While it feels like Legend of Mana’s issues could've been easily ironed out with a low budget remake rather than a remaster, the game was still a delight to play through and is still the hidden gem of the Mana series.

Approach this game like you would to watch a good action flick and you will be well entertained.

If you are at all on the fence on finding a game which can deliver a rich experience and dozens of hours of gameplay with a great mix of resource management, city building, and RTS combat: this just might fit the bill.

If the gameplay could match the options of the game, NBA 06 would be a contender for the playoffs.

Monster Energy Supercross 2 is a fast-paced dirt bike racing game that provides a tough yet enjoyable challenge. The controls take some getting used to, but after you get time in with the game, you'll be racing like a pro. The graphics and soundtrack keep the blood pumping and the eyes pleased.

Warhammer 40k Mechanicus contains a bevy of interesting narrative and mechanical decisions, but this tactics game is also marred by questionable implementations of those decisions. This Switch port often feels poorly thought out, but if you can make your way past its annoyances, you will find an engaging experience, filled with love for 40k lore. I hope to see more from this team, as their creativity and skill shows through with charm, even if this entry was not ultimately without flaws.

There’s no doubt that Just Dance 2022 has fallen into some of the traps of other annual games by not making it feel like a total makeover, but once you feel the quality of the choreography and see the improved visuals, you can’t deny that Ubisoft is still trying to deliver an exceptional product where it counts: the dancing and song selection. Even as one who is slightly out of touch with current hits, most of them successfully motivate me to get off my butt and start dancing.