Skate Story is a surreal, style-heavy skate adventure with a surprisingly tight sense of flow, smart risk-reward combos, and a standout soundtrack. Its hub sections can feel like filler and the camera occasionally struggles at high speed, but the overall trip is inventive, hypnotic, and hard to forget.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows on Switch 2 is an impressive technical feat. The open world holds up remarkably well - especially in handheld mode - thanks to smart upscaling and careful optimization. Mouse-style controls are absent, but touch-friendly UI and Ubisoft Connect cross-progression are solid perks.

Marvel Cosmic Invasion is a slick, 16-bit-style beat ’em up that delivers top-tier Marvel fan service, a great roster, and a satisfying Cosmic Swap tag system. Combat feels fast and responsive, though the screen can get a little too crowded during assists and effects. Overall, it’s a colorful, replayable brawler that captures classic arcade superhero energy.

Lumines Arise is a brilliant revival of the classic puzzle series, marrying addictive block-matching gameplay with hypnotizing visuals and a killer soundtrack. Its Burst mechanics, rhythmic pace and synesthetic presentation turn every match into a trance-like spectacle. This one’s an instant classic for anyone who loves vibrant, sensory-driven games.

Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow delivers an immersive return to classic stealth, with intuitive VR controls, clever sandbox-style missions and plenty of freedom in how you infiltrate and steal. Visual quirks and occasional bugs get in the way, but the tense atmosphere and strong mission design make it one of the standout VR stealth experiences of the year.

Rennsport aims high but falls flat with floaty handling, broken singleplayer and a thin selection of cars and tracks. Only the stable cross-platform multiplayer keeps it afloat. A bare-bones racer that struggles to justify its price.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond marks a strong return for Samus, delivering atmospheric exploration, tight combat and polished visuals that honor the classic trilogy. The new psychic abilities and refresh the formula, even if some additions - like talkative NPCs and the open-hub area - dilute the pure Metroid feel. A confident, modern comeback that largely sticks the landing.

Kirby Air Riders is a uniquely bold combat racer that hides surprising depth behind its cute exterior. Its tight, demanding mechanics and massive variety of machines, modes, and unlocks create a fast, addictive experience that rewards skill and experimentation. The steep learning curve and slow matchmaking won’t suit everyone, but players who stick with it will find one of the most distinctive and satisfying racers on the Switch 2.

ARC Raiders delivers one of the most thrilling and chaotic extraction-shooter experiences of the year, complete with brutal gunplay, a frantic PvPvE loop and a post-apocalyptic world that always keeps you on edge. The menu complexity and occasional technical hiccups detract slightly, but don’t obscure just how addictive the core gameplay loop is. A must-play for fans of high-intensity multiplayer chaos.

While its co-op-only campaign disappoints, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 rebounds with blisteringly fast multiplayer and one of the strongest Zombies modes in years. With sharper mobility, punchier progression, and some of the series’ most chaotic maps yet, this entry proves there’s still plenty of life left in Black Ops.

Anno 117: Pax Romana brings the series confidently into Ancient Rome with polished visuals, smart city-building systems, and a richly realized setting. Its refreshed mechanics and strong sense of place make it a rewarding and atmospheric return for fans of the franchise.

A great deep dive into the history of the most infamous fighting series ever made. The collection delivers strong nostalgic value with tons of extra content that easily make up for the fact that not every game has aged perfectly. A must-have tribute for long-time Mortal Kombat fans and fighting-game historians alike.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment refines the Zelda spin-off formula with faster combat, flashy Sync Strikes, and clever use of Zonai tools. Playing as Zelda and other ancient heroes feels fresh, while the story expands the Tears of the Kingdom lore in satisfying ways. Despite some repetition, its polished visuals, smooth performance, and exhilarating battles make it the best Hyrule Warriors yet.

The Outer Worlds 2 doubles down on witty dialogue, clever character building, and the offbeat humor that made Obsidian’s RPGs stand out. Its branching choices and quirky personality shine, but clumsy AI, overwhelming menus, and garish visuals hold it back. A solid yet uneven space adventure that entertains more for its charm than its polish.

A moody, atmospheric vampire RPG with strong narrative moments and memorable characters, but held back by dated visuals, clunky combat, and a hollow open world. Beautiful ideas, flawed execution.

Absolum delivers a stylish fusion of classic beat’em up action and roguelite progression. Its hand-drawn art, tight combat, and addictive upgrade loop make every run rewarding, even when the difficulty spikes sometimes feel brutal. Limited enemy variety and steep challenge aside, it’s a beautiful, hard-hitting brawler for those who don’t mind a fight.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A revitalizes the series with real-time battles, a vibrant Paris-inspired Lumiose City, and the triumphant return of Mega Evolutions. Game Freak trades visual spectacle for silky performance and delivers a fresh, modern twist on the classic Pokémon loop. A few dated quirks remain, but this tour de force proves Pokémon still has plenty of joie de vivre.

Hollow Knight: Silksong refines everything that made the original a masterpiece. With smoother movement, deep customization through Crests and Tools, and a stunning hand-drawn world full of secrets, Team Cherry delivers a metroidvania that’s both brutal and beautiful.

EA Sports FC 26 makes a confident return with its best career mode in years and dynamic Live Points scenarios. Dual gameplay styles add variety, though familiar flaws and Ultimate Team’s shadow persist. It’s not Champions League material yet, but a strong return to form.

Battlefield 6 marks a triumphant comeback for DICE. A stunning blend of large-scale warfare, explosive destructibility, and teamwork-driven chaos. Visually breathtaking, technically sharp, and the best Battlefield in years.

Baby Steps is absurd, clumsy, and oddly heartwarming all at once. Its hilarious ragdoll physics and painfully precise controls turn every step into a slapstick struggle, while the underdog charm of Nate keeps you rooting for him through the frustration. Not for the impatient, but a unique ode to failing, falling, and getting back up again.

Little Nightmares III looks great but lacks bite. Its haunting art direction and eerie atmosphere still impress, but the short runtime, predictable puzzles, and dull AI partner make this sequel feel smaller in every sense. Play it in co-op if you can — alone, it’s only half as fun.

Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 remain timeless platforming masterpieces. The remaster bundle adds little beyond sharper visuals, but the inventive gravity gameplay and stellar level design still shine as bright as ever.

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is a masterful remake that captures everything fans loved about the 1997 classic while modernizing it for today. With richly written characters, deep political intrigue, and addictive turn-based combat enhanced by smart quality-of-life improvements, it’s a strategy RPG that feels timeless. The dual option to play the original or the upgraded version, plus vibrant visuals and voice acting, make this the definitive way to experience Ivalice. A few omissions from War of the Lions are noticeable, but they don’t stop this from being one of the best tactical RPG revivals to date.

Ghost of Yotei delivers a visually breathtaking world, fierce combat, and an emotional revenge story that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Despite some familiar beats and minor camera issues, it stands tall as one of the PS5’s must-play action epics.

Dying Light: The Beast is the franchise’s most cinematic and polished entry yet, blending intense parkour, brutal melee combat, and grotesque gore with a darker story set in the Alps. Its skill trees and Beast powers lack depth, but the survival intensity and nightmarish atmosphere make it a bloody strong comeback.

Borderlands 4 expands the formula with its first true open world, smoother movement options, and a host of quality-of-life improvements that make it the most streamlined entry yet. The chaotic combat and endless loot remain as addictive as ever, but the many technical issues prevent it from reaching its full potential. Fans will find plenty to enjoy, though it falls short of being the definitive next-gen Borderlands experience.

Shinobi: Act of Vengeance is a near-perfect revival of a classic. It delivers razor-sharp combat, smooth platforming, and hand-drawn animations that make every move feel like an interactive anime. The game honors its 16-bit roots but enhances them with modern design choices that feel fresh and exciting. Storytelling remains minimal, and some platforming sections can feel unforgiving, but overall this is a stylish, exhilarating ode to Sega’s ninja legacy.