An incredibly fun combat mechanics is the basis for one of the most enjoyable 3DS games this year.

Fast and frantic, Bayonetta is still a quality action game. The visuals may have aged somewhat, and the difficulty may be hard as nails, but this is the definitive version of a game that feels strangely at home on a Nintendo console.

Warframe is a fantastic sci-fi shooter with a very consumer-friendly business model and a ton of free content.

Fun for everyone, Luigi’s Mansion 3 delights with its themed bosses and exploration. It’s a slow burn though, and not everyone will appreciate its pacing.

Square Enix’s Final Fantasy-themed MMO doesn’t get everything right, even on PS4, but the things it does well outweigh those it doesn’t, and the end result is a fun and engaging open world RPG with some great multiplayer options that don’t really come into their own until end-game.

Dragon's Dogma 2 is exactly what veterans will be expecting, as double-edged as that may be, but there's simply no other action RPG experience like it.

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is visually stunning, and the omni-directional combat and build assembly is tons of fun.

Square Enix not only stuck to its roots with this game in Japan by creating a big budget traditional JRPG for home consoles, but also went above and beyond with the additions and enhancements for the English release of the game.

The Following is a huge expansion that swaps the ruined city for the rugged countryside, but loses none of the desperate thrills of the original campaign.

It’s more of the Destiny that the fans love, with enough tweaks to keep them grinding for hundreds more hours to come. This is the game that Destiny should have released as, and there’s no doubt that people jumping into it for the first time are getting a great game, and a lot of it at that for a lovely low price, while dedicated players will enjoy themselves immensely while nursing their poor wallets back to health.

Returnal's fluid, graceful movement and satisfying, punchy gunplay combine with a sense of exploration at once both wondrous and morbid, and a drip-fed progression system that makes you feel like you're always discovering or unlocking something new.

Braid Anniversary Edition is a reminder of how good the original was, with stellar visuals and puzzles that are tough yet rewarding.

Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2 is one of the best fighting games available today and one that is brilliant for both newcomers and veterans alike.

I can’t deny that Forza Motorsport 7’s racing is some of the most fun there is, but its overabundance of progression systems make it more of a grind than it should be.

Sumire is an emotionally charged adventure, with some unexpected dark moments to keep you on your toes.

Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights is a compelling, surprisingly charming little adventure. It may look dark and oppressive, but Lily is a likeable heroine.

The Football Manager series just goes from strength to strength. This is superb, sublime, and irresistible. It’s not a game you play, it’s a game you live.

Astral Ascent is a Roguelike that should be mentioned alongside genre greats like Hades and Spelunky, and simply demands to be played.

Humanity is an expertly crafted puzzler with lots of commands and problems to solve, giving you freedom to reach the goals of each stage.

Double Fine has done another great on remastering a classic, delicately updating it in such a way that what stood out in 1993 stands out all over again more than 20 years later.

BlazBlue: Central Fiction – Special Edition is by far the best fighting game on Switch. It was already fantastic on PS4 but having everything included here right from the get go in a port that runs brilliantly even in handheld mode makes this my favourite version of the game. If you enjoy 2D fighters and have been wanting something content packed and polished, this is all you need on the Switch.

Despite a few flaws, Cyberpunk 2077 is one of the most consistently astounding pieces of media I've ever had the pleasure of consuming.

As for presentation, you would imagine that translating a game from a dual-layered Wii DVD to a tiny 3DS cartridge would end in disaster. That is not the case here, with a port that retains a steady framerate and draw distance, while still looking very favourable when compared to other 3DS games.

Fire Emblem Fates is an incredible package and an experience that rivals the very best the 3DS has to offer.

Twilight Princess HD does everything its predecessor did but better, making it one of the most triumphant remasters yet and cementing it as one of the best games of our generation.

Mini Metro on the Switch is a fantastic and zen like strategy puzzle experience with elegant visuals and addictive gameplay.

A marriage made in heaven, Cadence of Hyrule is a toe-tapping, monster slaying groove-fest.

Monster Hunter Generations is a great action-RPG for longstanding fans and newcomers who want a challenge like nothing they’ve played before.