This is a catchy little app that even occupied our photographer Donna Millheim, so you really have something when delighting such a discerning gamer. Do yourselves a favor Impulse Gamer's, do not miss this one.

Destiny on the PS4 is a true piece of art that not only plays well but looks amazing!

As a Star Wars game, Survivor has some very big boots to fill and given the lore contained in this universe and fan expectations, I can safely report that it successfully expands on the first game and on the PlayStation 5 delivers a true next-gen experience. Sure there are a few slight gameplay glitches here and there, however as a whole it is a very polished game from its fine-tuned gaming mechanics, Star Wars inspired graphics, wonderful narrative and characters, including the music, sound effects and voice acting, In the end, Respawn Entertainment efficaciously draw you into the character of Cal Kestis as you fight the good fight to keep the “dark side” at bay. As a long-time Star Wars fan, this is the droid game you’re looking for… and yes Jedi mind tricks are totally part of the game!

Resident Evil 4 Remake is a faithful reimagining that brings the beloved survival-horror classic into the modern era with a host of new features, content tweaks and graphical updates.

This timeless fantasy is as emotionally compelling as it was all those years ago. A stunning adventure that still has plenty to offer.

Arguably the best Capcom retro collection to date, Marvel fans should run not walk to add this to their Switch collections.

If both Uncharted 4 and The Last of Us are the ten out of ten benchmarks for the action-adventure genre, then God of War sits just below them.

Gears of War: Ultimate Edition provides XBox One owners a great third person shooter experience as you attempt to save humanity from the locust hoard.

The rewarding sensation of finally felling that painfully difficult boss or clearing that area after numerous tries is still there and remains Dark Souls’ biggest draw.

I’m pretty franchise agnostic with karting… I’m not fussed about who the characters are as long as it’s fun and I can certainly say that Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a lot of fun… even when I wasn’t winning I was still enjoying the experience. The moments you pick up a power that can either help you take out the opponent in front or possibly blast past everyone ahead of you really add a lot of fun to the game. The ability to adjust many of the different aspects of the game (including the racing speed) means you can adapt it to the sort of mood you are in, or the skill level you want. The only drawback I would say is the price which does seem a bit steep… but there is a lot of fun to be had here either in solo play or in multiplayer and who doesn’t like a bit of split screen racing. Either grab a copy now and get racing or wait for a sale and then grab a copy… but if you like karting games… this is pretty close to a must have!

With improved gameplay, Skate 2 is definitely a worthy successor that contains a slick presentation, a decent control system and some very impressive graphics.

In the end, iD have come back with gusto and their latest game Rage is definitely a keeper.

If you love the Bat… you really do need to get yourself the Season Pass and jump into the Enemy Within… great story telling and some really moving moments.

Be ready to have a horror filled thrill ride.

Dungeon of Naheulbeuk: Amulet of Chaos is a value-priced game that packs serious quality for its price point. If you’re looking for a challenging tactical RPG that doesn’t take itself too seriously, you’ll probably get plenty of mileage out of this game.

Bringing the best of past Sonic games into the modern gaming world with familiar yet fresh and striking levels.

An occasionally subtle, but nevertheless substantial upgrade to the original Horizon Zero Dawn that, while I don't necessarily think it's an upgrade that needed to be made, I'm glad it was.

Battlefield 4 is the latest instalment in the Battlefield series created by Dice and is the first in the series to utilise the Frostbite 3 engine. It is the latest in the stream of modern military shooters.

I’ve been enjoying the game a lot… more than I was expecting to in fact… which is not to say that I thought I wouldn’t like it… just that I’ve been going back to it, time and time again… normally I’d go from one game to another… but I’ve just been sinking hours into this and can see myself putting quite a few more into it. A fun game with a lovely dark/gothic setting. I would be happy to recommend.

There is a story here and it is interesting… you can get the sense that Frank has a heart despite his bravado… but the fun is in the over the top ludicrousness of the whole experience. Grab your favourite Capcom branded outfit… suit up and get ready to shed some Zombie flesh. This serves as a much need giggle in the midst of so many dire Zombie themed games and is worth it just for the flexibility of how you play… well worth adding to your collection if you like your action with a bit of a smirk.

Rime is a unique and whimsical journey that puts the awe back into the videogaming experience. The pensive mood belies the quick paced structure of the puzzle design and the framing narrative is at once affecting and abstruse. An almost meditative odyssey of discovery, Rime is one of the standout games of the year so far and should be on the top of every puzzle and adventure game fan’s list of purchases.

This kind of came out of nowhere for me but it’s really right up my alley. A dystopian world with a well developed story… a splash of sci-fi and stunning visuals. A very tolerable amount of horror (don’t get me wrong… some of those moments if played in VR would probably require a pants change)… puzzles that are a challenge but manageable. Not to mention a moving soundtrack (even if I did have trouble making out what the words were in the song near the start of the game). Highly recommended for anyone who likes things a bit weird and thought provoking!

An innovative tool for designing your very own Mushroom Kingdom.

Second Son is easily the best game in the franchise that not only contains superior gaming mechanics but it has some spectacular graphics and special effects!

If you are more of a single player gamer like me, don’t let the online nature of Fallout 76 put you off… it’s eminently playable as a single player experience. If you are put off by the issues mentioned at the start then maybe steer clear (or at least wait to see if patches address your concerns), otherwise I’d say grab the Deathclaw by the horns and jump in (but maybe wait till you have powerarmour to do that.).

Unbeatable wears an undeniable amount of flair, but as of writing, it comes with its fair share of rough patches that have yet to be smoothed over.

Riven is an island hopping puzzle adventure VR game that tells the age-old tale of forsaken prophecy while making you use all of your brain's power in the best possible ways.

A highly recommended interactive adventure game with compelling characters, impactful branching decisions and unique visuals.

One of the best games of the year and in Switch history, Bayonetta is a gameplay experience not to be missed.

A intriguing change of pace that gives the Assassin's Creed series the breathing room it has so desperately needed for eons, without making any compromises on content. Well worth your time to enter the gates of Valhalla.

In conclusion, Little King’s Story is quite an original and innovative game on the Nintendo Wii that can be played by gamers of all ages.

The worlds of Portal and Tenet combine to bring a puzzling game about turning back time.

Developer Sucker Punch has produced a fantastic realization of Ezo/Hokkaido, a region of feudal Japan that we don’t get to see a lot of in games, let alone explore in such detail. Along with fun combat, quests, and progression systems, Yōtei will keep a lot of gamers busy, not even taking into account the free co-op multiplayer modes coming in 2026. A must-play for fans of open-world action-adventure games, and a worthy, albeit safe sequel to Ghost of Tsushima.

It follows the same formula, excellent story and open ended problem solving and combines this with RPG elements and modern game play but with Wii U enhancements

Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition is the ultimate JRPG package, jam-packed with dozens of hours of content and new quality of life improvements made even better with the Nintendo Switch’s portability factor. The game simultaneously celebrates its past and indulges in the old-school roots of the genre while simultaneously modernising it for the current generation, resulting in one of the best JRPGs of this generation. The Switch port is a labour of love with impressive visuals, rock-solid performance and ample fan-service that should be experienced by anyone looking for the perfect role-playing game experience on-the-go.

With a gentle learning curve, tight mechanics and immensely gratifying gameplay, NHL 16 stands as EA Sports’ most accomplished release of the year.

Kojima Productions have done it again, producing a game that is as engaging as it is strange while improving on the mechanics of its predecessor.

If you want to test your system and see just how much power you can put out (within the confines of a CPU limited game engine), then this will still show you what your rig is capable of. If you want a game that is perhaps the closest you can get to the opening fire fight of Predator (with similar otherworldly interference taking over) then this is without doubt a game you should grab! If you’ve played it before but don’t know where you put your CD-ROM or even your DVD copy of the game, this might be a good excuse to shell out for a new digital version. Even if you just want a fun sci-fi action first person shooter with some fun future tech and some lovely visuals… grab a copy!

Hi-Fi Rush remains an absolute feast for the senses, a heady mix of unique and addictive brawling, beautiful presentation, an incredible soundtrack, and a cast of well-drawn characters in every sense of the word that demands to be in any action fan’s collection.

A fantastic pick-up-and-play 3DS game a diverse and funky soundtrack, tons of unlockable content and perfect for party play with friends.

If you’ve enjoyed adventure games before then you will enjoy this… if you haven’t really given adventure games a go, this is a great one to see just how well they can be made. There are quite a lot of laughs and the production quality is high… for the price you really can’t go wrong. Stick a balloon to your head or grab a 90’s metal band wig and get ready to drop some beats… go play Paradigm!

The Walking Dead Season two Episode one “All That Remains” is a nice start to season two. Full of emotional moments that carry the story forward and keep us interested.

FIFA 18 does enough to better its predecessor thanks to new player animations and improvements to the gameplay. Although repetitive, the revamped transfer system is intriguing and part two of Alex’s story in The Journey: Hunter Returns makes FIFA 18 the best in the series to date.

If you’ve been around gaming long enough then you remember with a lot of fondness the old adventure games. You can go as far back as pure text adventures or you can go to what was arguably the heyday with Sierra and then Lucasarts. The Red Strings Club harks back to those games visually with it’s pixel-art style… but much as us gamers have grown up… the subject matter has too. While those formerly mentioned game companies would frequently scatter more mature content throughout via little jokes and such, The Red Strings Club is fully immersed in mature themes and it’s a great way to experience that nostalgia in the modern age.

The Spyro Reignited Trilogy is a seriously good remaster. It’s a relaxing and comforting jaunt back into the world of the classic 3D platformer and it was a joy to re-experience all of these worlds with Sparx by my side. If you played Spyro growing up—or always wondered what the fuss was about—there’s something in this for everyone, and I hope that we see some new young Spyro fans as a result.

Final Fantasy XVI is without a doubt one of the best RPGs I have played in years, and could possibly have knocked my beloved Final Fantasy VI off its perch as the favourite game in the series. Though it may feel different to previous, entries what Square has accomplished in almost every department is nothing short of phenomenal. The RPG elements may be a lot lighter, but what they’ve been replaced with is top-tier action and the kind of epic spectacle and story-telling that has made Final Fantasy the genre-defining series we know and love. Even if the main cast has names that make them sound more like workmates at an accountancy firm than a band of magical outlaws.

Shaking up the formula somewhat whilst still ensuring that longtime fans and purists are catered for, Lucid Games have done the unfathomable and created a game that betters the already stellar efforts of Bizarre Creations.

While the indie market is no stranger to artistic and emotionally resonant games, Copycat on PlayStation 5 stands out as a truly special experience.

In conclusion, Gran Turismo 5 is a very engaging game that will leave craving for more.

Borderlands 4 adds many new features and quality of life updates to the franchise, and along with its new open-world, makes it easily the best entry in the series.

Sure, we’ve seen it all before but not on this scale before thanks to the slick graphics and highly addictive gameplay.

Overall, I was very surprised with how much fun Rainbow Moon was and would highly recommend any fans of RPGs to buy the game. If you have fifteen dollars you will find there is no better way to spend your money, if you don't I'd recommend saving up to buy this game.

Arguably the best NBA 2K26 of all time, with a new gameplay engine that sends the series into the stratosphere. There's so much to love, in exception to continued emphasis on Virtual Currency.

There are plenty of choices to be made, meaning you could complete this game several times and see many different narratives and outcomes. All in all, the game feels fresh, unique, and is compelling enough to keep someone with an attention span as short as mine entertained for hours at a time.

And what can I say but about time, it's refreshing to play something fun and well-made as opposed to those dark shooters or the wealth of games that currently take themselves a little too seriously!

In the end, FIFA 11 is for true soccer fanatics and if you're looking for an arcade experience, unfortunately now is the time to look elsewhere for your soccer fun.

At the end of the day, EA Sports have created a truly remarkable golfing game on the Wii that proves that the Wii is not just for casual or social gamers.

Many ports turn out to be dumbed-down, stripped-of-spirit versions of the console versions. Luckily, XCOM is different. It is excellent.

Lastly, UFC 2009 Undisputed is a very decent fighter with a huge amount of soul in terms of gameplay, graphics and sound.

The game is clichéd, entertaining and best of all a blast to play which has truly moved this franchise to the next level.

Even if you have played the original games and your a fan of the series, you'll get a huge kick of this new facelift and new players won't be disadvantaged either.

If you're a fan of RPG, than this game should definitely be on your pick list.

With sturdier instruments, a great track listing and some new tweaks and twists to the gameplay, Band Hero is a great game for solo or parties and with the inclusion of celebrity avatars and improved customization features, this game is everything you need to enjoy and start your own virtual band.

The new style and direction of the Splinter Cell franchise may not thrill all the fans out there, but it's a fact, that this was a much needed bold fresh adrenaline jolt.

In these hard times when gamers have to decide what they want to spend the hard earned money on, if flight combat is your thing, or you wanted to try it out and see if it is your thing. DCS A10C Warthog is the combat flight simulator for you.

In conclusion, Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars is definitely one of the better fighting games on the Wii and even though it's old school, the old analogy of if it isn't broke, don't fix it works perfect with this title.

Even if you have played the original games and your a fan of the series, you'll get a huge kick of this new facelift and new players won't be disadvantaged either.

Even though the 3D can be frustrating at times, it does add a new element to one of the best fighter franchises in the world

In conclusion, Guitar Hero Metallica is a decent improvement over Guitar Hero Aerosmith and hopefully this will inspire other bands to join in the fun.

Nintendo have another winner on their hand and if you're looking for a game that will keep you busy for hours upon hours than Mario and Luigi: Dream Team Bros. is that game. The gameplay is quite unique on the 3DS and successfully merges two gaming genres, RPG and Arcade to create this interesting hybrid with a whole lot of fun at the same time. Add in a clever combat system and a variety of whacky super moves and you, Mario and Luigi will be working successfully together to rescue the beautiful Princess Peach.

In the end, if you're looking for a fighting game for your brand new console, than Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is quite an engaging game that offers a considerable amount of replay value.

For those that enjoy a real challenging action RPG, than Dark Souls is the game for you. However if you believe that over the top challenges make a game more annoying than rewarding, than I strongly recommend you that you run for the hills or maybe stick to something like Zelda.

Having played both Super Street Fighter IV and Dead or Alive Dimensions, DOAD is far superior is our books and is easily one of the best fighters available on any portable console. The gameplay is flawlessly fun and even though we have seen it all before, this may be the fact on home consoles but not in the portable world of gaming. The developers have included enough fan service to make any Dead or Alive fanboy or girl glee from joy but best of all, it's got the gameplay and the graphics.

In conclusion, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe is a very impressive fighting game that melds two great franchises into one.

All up FIFA 12 is a very addictive and at the top difficulty level very challenging. There are many options to stop you getting bored and constantly tossing up varied challenges. The audio is real life like which recreates the atmosphere of game day. This title is definitely worth consideration if you like your soccer.

EA Sports have created a worthy successor to the franchise with improved graphics, refined and entertaining gameplay that will have you boxing the absolute living daylights out of each other.

If you love first person shooters or you're a huge James Bond fan, than this game has definitely been made for you. Best first person shooter to have ever graced the Wii? Probably So!

Lunar Flight may not appeal to everyone. Those that dream of flight or have a passion for space exploration owe themselves a look at this game.

In conclusion, Battlefield: Bad Company 2 easily surpasses its predecessor with more refined gaming, an interesting and entertaining single-player mode and some fun multiplayer options.

In conclusion, Aion is a very entertaining MMO game that although doesn’t challenge this genre too much, still uses the traditional Dungeons & Dragons archetypes.

This is how games should be made and kudos to Nintendo and Retro Studios for not trying to re-invent the wheel in Donkey Kong Country Returns on Wii.

Even though Nintendo have used this formula for their latest Mario Kart game, they have added enough changes and tweaks plus the inclusion of 3D to truly make this title stand out from its predecessors. Gaming mechanics are strong and the controls work perfectly on the 3DS, although the gyroscope is a little iffy.

With mesmerizing music and gameplay to boot, New Super Mario Bros. Wii is an addictively entertaining experience that once again proves the old analogy that if it aint broke, don't fix it! Bravo!

At the end of the day, Rockstar have created a fun game in Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars that features an entertaining story, interesting characters and gameplay that only the Nintendo DS can boast about.

Yoshi's Woolly World is a superbly entertaining game on the Nintendo Wii U that ticks all the right boxes for fun gameplay!

Even though you’re not playing the boss man himself, Master Chief, the game does have some “wow” moments that is matched with the traditional sturdy Halo 3 gameplay.

Astral Chain also suffers a little from repetitiveness. Every mission is broadly the same thing. Hang out at the Police Headquarters, investigate a crime scene, head into the Astral Plane, repeat. The scenery changes, but not the structure and it would have been nice to see a little more done to break up the sections of the game. Ultimately, these flaws are outweighed by the awesome combat and the stylish world. The game looks gorgeous and makes the most of the Switch hardware. The soundtrack is catchy and the game is just a hell of a lot of fun to play. PlatinumGames and the Nintendo Switch have another hit on their hands.

Nobunaga’s Ambition Sphere of Influence is a PC-like strategy experience on the PlayStation 4 that succeeds on all levels.

The best and most content-rich way to experience the modern Hitman trilogy for newcomers and long-time franchise fans alike.

A beat ‘em up with the style and flare of one of Nintendo’s best franchises.

Significantly more playable, accessible, and appealing than NBA 2K23, this is a fantastic basketball title that finally tried to do something different and mainly succeeds.

Dragon’s Crown is a fantastic addition to the RPG genre, bringing an original personality that’s hard to ignore. With an amazing amount of content, this is one game that’s worth the grinding it demands.

Final Fantasy VII: Remake Intergrade is easily one of the finest ports on the Switch 2, second probably only to Cyberpunk in terms of scale. It combines solid performance with a level of presentation that’s not far behind the PS5 at times – An impressive feat, considering you can play it during your commute. Just be aware it’s a voracious beast that will consume half your internal storage before you even press start. If you’re yet to experience Final Fantasy VII Remake (or thinking about giving it a second chance), Integrade for the Switch 2 is a wonderful way to reacquaint yourself with this bombastic meta-analysis of one of the finest JRPGs ever made.

Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster is a lovingly crafted release of the first six Final Fantasy games in one collection. Upgraded graphics, a gorgeous new soundtrack, and several must play games make this an essential item in any RPG fans collection.

Call of Duty: WWII is precisely what fans have been clamouring for over the last few years – A return to traditional boots-on-the-ground gameplay with an increased focus on skill and I have no doubt that it will resonate with fans in a way that the last few games have failed to manage.

Offering everything that most players want in a multiplayer online dungeon crawler experience, gorgeous visuals and bold steps forward in gaming ideas, Guild Wars 2 is a true blockbuster given all of the tools it needs for success.

Tin Hearts is the adorable, and poignant spiritual successor to Lemmings you never knew you needed.

System Rift focuses on the strengths of Deus Ex to craft a satisfying stealth romp.