Breath of the Wild is an absolute masterpiece, and may well be the best The Legend of Zelda game ever made. Despite a few minor technical issues, this a truly unforgettable experience.

There was never any doubt that Red Dead Redemption 2 was going to be good, but this is something special. A masterpiece that many will be talking about for decades to come.

Anyone concerned that this was just another money-spinning “definitive edition” can rest easy. As ever, Rockstar don’t do things by halves, and Grand Theft Auto V on PS4 feels truly next-gen. It’s not just a remake, it’s a testament to the quality of the original that GTA V can effortlessly stand among the best titles so far available on the new consoles and, in many cases, surpass them.

Platforming perfection, full stop.

Look, most of you probably won’t be able to run GTA V in the 4K resolution on Ultra, and most will only dabble in the video editor and director modes. But this is the definitive version of one of the best games in the last few years. What that means is that GTA V on PC remains breathtaking at every corner and was, of course, well worth every minute of the wait.

Larian has built one of the most intricate virtual worlds I’ve ever seen and, despite a few hiccups, Baldur’s Gate 3 remains the finest example of its genre available today.

Deep, wide, and absolutely packed with adventure, Elden Ring's immense, deadly open world is nothing short of game-changing.

Tears of the Kingdom could end up being one of the best games ever made, with unparalleled exploration that offers freedom and creativity on a scale never before seen.

Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania is another sensational bit of content, and one that only costs a tiny amount to whip your way into.

Persona 5 Royal is quite frankly one of the best RPGs ever made, and now that it can be played portably you have no more excuses.

For those that have already enjoyed the original game, this is a fan’s dream, with everything you could wish for and more, with nearly every aspect improved upon. A spellbinding videogame, and one that deserves to be spoken about in reverential terms for many years to come.

Despite some decent titles on Sony’s new machine, you can’t deny the quality of Naughty Dog’s masterpiece. Even the staunchest of advocates that want original experiences on their new console will struggle to find much wrong with The Last of Us.

Tetris Effect: Connected is not only the best Tetris game of all time, it's one of the best puzzle games ever. This will change your life.

Astro Bot is a love letter to video games that sets a new standard in 3D platforming, with ridiculously creative stages and gorgeous visuals.

One of the best games on PS4, and one of the best games of this generation. A masterpiece.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is a wonderfully crafted expansion that enriches the original experience that exploring the Lands Between provided.

Metroid Prime Remastered is the best remaster on Switch to date by some margin, which is saying a lot. Still essential after all these years.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt next-gen update makes a great game even better, improving practically every element of the much loved game.

God of War Ragnarok is the definition of a masterpiece, featuring some of the best combat of all time, a gripping, poignant, and ambitious story, with so much to do you'll never want it to end.

A genuine work of art, The Last of Us Part II is Naughty Dog's best game, bravest story, and proof that games can put players through the emotional wringer. A compelling yet devastating masterpiece.

Hades is a fantastic experience regardless of platform. An addictive, accessible, and charming roguelike adventure.

An incredible, best-in-class achievement that could only be done in VR, with excellent voice acting, sublime visuals and audio and, yes, a truly Half-Life story.

Blitworks has done a fantastic job porting Divinity: Original Sin 2 to Switch, running great for the most part,including local wireless and an interface that has been scaled well.

Fantastic writing and voice acting abound in the deep, fantastical world of Divinity: Original Sin 2. Despite some massive difficulty spikes, its gameplay is incredibly rewarding and great fun.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is one of the best Metroivanias in recent memory, and its Switch port is simply outstanding. With a buttery smooth framerate, and an aesthetic as gorgeous as ever, it's a title that might even warrant a double dip.

A triumph from start to finish. Beautiful, colourful, amusing, and bereft of any cynicism whatsoever. An utter breath of fresh air that plays like a dream; this is almost certainly the game Nintendo should have launched the Wii U with. However, here we are, finally getting the incredible Mario title we deserve.

God of War PC is, simply put, a brilliant port of one of the best games ever to grace PlayStation consoles.

One of the best games of the last few years comes to next-gen consoles. Hades is a great ride on PS5, and well worth your time.

Persona 5 is one of the best games I have had the pleasure of playing and something that managed topping my favourite game of all time Persona 4 Golden in almost every way.

Once upon a time people would overuse the word “epic”, but it’s a phrase truly befitting of Rockstar’s brilliant Red Dead Redemption 2.

Not only is Hearthstone one of the best F2P games I’ve ever played, it’s unbelievably deep, rewarding, and satisfying.

This isn’t just the best Metal Gear game, nor is it just the best stealth game, it is one of the best games ever made.

Among the very best PSVR2 games the platform has to offer.

Resident Evil 4 Remake has done the impossible, and improved upon a masterpiece in every conceivable way.

I've loved this series from the beginning, but a new high bar has been set in Uncharted 4. Naughty Dog have created a truly memorable game, and one of the very best of the current generation.

By combining familiar gameplay with some new ideas, there's something in here for everyone. Smash Bros. is back and has never been better.

While it doesn't stray far from the template Limbo set, Inside is a gorgeous, beautifully directed puzzle platformer that you'll want to see through to the end.

Forza Horizon 4’s handling is the best the series has ever seen, and its shared world gameplay offers an incredible amount of fun. It could well be the best racer out there.

Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth is a phenomenally good video game. It has a habit for self-indulgence, but earns every pause with some shocking story moments, and some of the best combat I’ve experienced.

Super Mario Bros Wonder is a delight of a game, worthy of anyone’s time and money. The creativity on show here is astonishing, and it’ll have you smiling from start to finish. From the animations to the audio, to the new items and ideas, Super Mario Bros Wonder is a masterclass from the very best in the business, and proves there is a lot more life in a 2D platform game than anyone thought. Fantastic.

Bloodborne is an immensely intricate and tightly-designed game that arguably surpasses what From have produced before, thanks to a handful of new ideas and tweaked mechanics. A system that promotes repetition to refill your consumables, and a difficulty that encourages level grinding in the opening few areas and at various intervals throughout feel like minor missteps, but they’re tiny ones at that. Despite a few minor performance issues, Bloodborne is an epic, compelling, heart-pounding triumph.

A sensational platformer with an important story at its heart. Celeste is engaging, rewarding, and reminds us that the reward is worth the hard journey.

Forza Horizon 5 is a visual spectacle and a masterpiece, providing plenty to do and tons of fun to be had around every corner.

Street Fighter 6 is without question the best fighting game package I have ever played, and will keep you going far longer than a one-on-one fighter has any right to be able to. A true classic.

Fans of the Souls genre will fall in love with Demon's Souls, and anyone who picks it up and manages to push through the fog of challenge will find a stunning world of danger and excitement to get lost in.

A masterclass in storytelling with its memorable characters and soundtrack. Undertale is a phenomenal experience overall.

One of the best PC RPGs of recent years loses a little of its shine on console, but remains a fantastic experience throughout.

Bayonetta 2 remains one of Platinum’s best games, and is a treat on Switch just as it was on Wii U.

Deluxe may be the wrong word for it, but this is the definitive Mario Kart 8 experience, which ultimately makes it one of the best kart-racers ever made.

With a compelling story that keeps you guessing, and a pin-point utilisation of the platform, Device 6 is an accomplishment in games design, mobile or otherwise.

Metaphor: ReFantazio is another landmark game from the Persona team, with top tier combat and a gripping story that I couldn't stop playing.

UFO 50 is a celebration of retro gaming, full of wonderful modern ideas, sensational video games and a whole lot of content.

Those willing to fully commit to Microsoft Flight Simulator will find an immersive experience like nothing else they’ve ever played.

Intense, gorgeous and thrilling to play, this is Platinum’s best game so far...A non-stop climax of excitement from the moment you start the Prologue, this is one of those games that demands to be played.

Chained Echoes is without a doubt the best RPG I've played all year, and should be pushed to the top of your backlog immediately.

Dragon Quest XI S is as perfect a port as you could ask for, and makes you feel good about owning a Switch in the first place.

Forza Horizon 3 is close to racing perfection, with stunning visuals, great Drivatar AI and enough content to keep you busy for months.

An impeccably crafted rogue-like adventure that feels genuinely unique in a crowded genre.

Bluepoint has brought one of the best games to ever grace a Sony console back to life on the PS4, and has done so with tenderness and care.

Blood and Wine, The Witcher 3’s final piece of DLC, could not have given such a remarkable game a more fitting send off. With a beautiful new world to explore, Toussaint is brimming with hours of content, stories, monsters to slay, great characters and a whole new bloody Gwent faction.

Everything that we knew about the console version has been brought over with love, affection and a true knowledge of how to use the touch-screen, as well as the sheer power of the iPad, to its absolute potential...XCOM: Enemy Unknown isn’t just one of the best iPad games available, it’s one of the best games available, full stop.

Crusader Kings III is an excellent kingdom management game, more intimate but no less intricate than the likes of Civilisation VI, it’s as unforgiving a simulation as you’re going to find while still being more fun than you’d expect it to be.

Disco Elysium is an intelligent game with lots to say, but struggles with its tone while saying it.

It rewards those of us who know A Link to the Past’s version of Hyrule like the back of our hand, but makes enough concessions for those who didn’t play the original the first time around.

It is far and away the superior version, and that’s without the need to download any sort of fan-made patch. The cycle of death and success has never felt this good.

Resident Evil 2 drags an all-time classic horror game screaming into the new generation, and will terrify both fans and newcomers alike.

Satisfactory is finally out of early access, with a plethora of content, and gameplay for all kinds of player. And it's simply superb.

Dark Souls II is a true hardcore challenge, and the weak of will and spine have no place in its cruel and unusual world.

To call this the definitive edition of the original game is a bold move but it achieves that. It doesn’t add a huge pile of new things but it doesn’t detract from the original in a single way. Even the soundtrack can be flip at will if you like the old MIDI one. This is merely an addition to the base game and that base game is rather wonderful. Dragon Quest is comforting in a year that hasn’t been – a solace from the proverbial dark. I didn’t want to leave Cobblestone but by the time I had, I didn’t want to go back. Dragon Quest is a very special game. It always has been. It always will be.

Balatro is a masterfully crafted Roguelike card game, that's easy to learn thanks to its poker mechanics but hard to master.

Animal Well is a Metroidvania that stands out in a crowded marketplace thanks to a lack of combat and some seriously creative power ups.

The Room Three expands on what the first two games did and raises the bar for puzzle games in general to a whole other level.

A beautiful, welcoming game that is everything and anything you want it to be. This is one you'll play all year and beyond, and it's exactly what the world needs right now.

Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls – Ultimate Evil Edition is the game Diablo fans deserve. Granted, there are still areas to improve – Adventure Mode, for example, still feels a little like an experiment rather than the finished article – but this is as close to perfect as we’ve yet been.

An incredible game that should be enjoyed by everyone, and the most fun I've had with a shooter in years. Brimming with personality, the only concerns are longevity, and how dependent it is on other players to make the game fun.

Rogue Legacy 2 on PS5 is the best way to experience what Cellar Door Games has done since its original release to cement its, erm, legacy.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is an absolutely wonderful RPG, with loads of new features that you'd be foolish to miss.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 manages to improve on the two already fantastic Spidey titles, featuring great gameplay and a gripping story.

It is undoubtedly an excellent effort, which breathes new life into a decade-old title, and is a bright and arresting way for Link to debut in HD. What Nintendo need to do now is set about crafting something more than just a do-over, and move the wonderful old series forward on their richly promising hardware.

This is just the same wonderful game that was first released in 2015, and it's delightful to see it given a new lease of life on Nintendo Switch.

Jack Jeanne is a sensational visual novel full of singing, dancing and drama. If you like rhythm games and hunky boys then you're in for a treat.

Whether you’ve stuck with Destiny from the very beginning, or you’ve had long breaks between expansions, or you’re new to all this, The Final Shape Campaign is superb – but for long-time fans in particular it’s one of the best expansions Bungie has ever produced and offers some great new content to get stuck into. Bungie absolutely needed to stick the landing with Destiny 2: The Final Shape, and by all accounts the team has done just that. Eyes up, Guardian – it’s time to finish this fight.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is just as brilliant now as it was last year, and now you can play it on your PC or even on the Steam Deck.

Flight Simulator on Xbox Series X is a stunning piece of technology that gives you freedom unlike anything has before. With beautiful visuals and a fully realised world to explore, it's hard not to be blown away.

Persona 4 Golden on Switch is the best possible version of Atlus’s finest blend of dungeon crawling role player action dark murder mystery.

The Castlevania Dominus Collection is a terrific collection for the fans, and you really couldn't ask for much more to be included.

A must play on Switch. It includes all content released post launch for the PC version right from the get go. Team Cherry has done a superb job and once those issues are ironed out, this will be a perfect version of a fantastic game.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a fantastic sequel. It builds on the original with a few new ideas to deliver a complete experience.

The Last of Us Part II Remastered is a dense collection of content that fleshes out the main story, with a rogue-lite that is a lot of fun.

Whether you're diving into the depths or managing a sushi restaurant, Dave the Diver is full of ideas and engaging from start to finish.

God of War Ragnarok is just as stunning as it was on PS5, and those wanting to enjoy such an incredible game now have the chance on PC.

The realism and tweaks to gameplay and options makes this year’s entry great, giving basketball fans an immersive and varied experience.

From the gorgeous visuals to the design in its monsters and ecosystems, Capcom has made the best Monster Hunter game yet. It's just a shame it doesn't help with its complex systems an occasionally poor explanations of them.

Hearts of Stone is the perfect example of DLC done right. There’s not a better reason to get back into The Witcher 3 again.

Even if you don’t play puzzle games, Linelight is a shining beacon in dark times.

Curse of the Dead Gods is an excellent rogue-like, and the massive variety of curses, weapons and buffs creates a different experience each time.

One of the best strategy games on the market, bringing a unique sense of fun to the genre. A must-play title.

The introduction of new traversal ideas, proper stealth and a more focused narrative mark this out as different enough to warrant true merit, and prove that From Software still have a trick or two up their sleeves.