An excellent portable version of one of the best strategy games of all-time, and one that could have a profound effect on mobile gaming.

Achingly beautiful, tyre-shredding action and enough new features to keep the faithful on board. Occasional frustrations, but is easily the most complete racing experience available today.

Another cracking co-op extravaganza that successfully blends collaborative puzzling and spectacular action sequences into a breathless, occasionally moving and often hilarious, two-player-only experience.

A good value compilation of two of the PS2's most technically accomplished action games.

If you’ve played other Michael Brough games, like Imbroglio or 868-HACK, the details of Cinco Paus may come as less of a shock to the system. It’s a fabulously complex and deep turn-based strategy game revolving around the use of five magic wands, each of which has complementary powers and limited uses. Discovering how they work and what each system does is left entirely up to you, because the game is only available in Portuguese and does not have English subtitles, making discovering its rules through a series of hard-won Eureka moments, fascinating and daunting in equal measure.

As far as we're concerned this is easily the best Gears Of War game, but it's also one that refines and exhausts every gameplay element to such a degree that it seems like a far more final end to the trilogy than Epic probably intended. If there are more games, and we assume there will be, they're going to have to be significantly different to seem worthwhile.

Most of the time when games overlap with art, the result is whimsical rather than fun. The delicious multi-layered puzzle you’re presented with in Gorogoa is quite an exception. It tells the wordless story of a boy’s quest to find a fantastic beast, via the usual collector’s set of glowing orbs. This time though, you interact with the game by rearranging four on-screen frames, panning, zooming, and playing with perspective until you wheedle out the solution to each of its mysterious and beautifully drawn scenarios, in a process that’s entirely unique.

Far more than just the best Batman game, this is a top notch mix of action, stealth and storytelling.

A worthy follow-up to Limbo, that challenges in terms of both its fiendish puzzles and its harrowing storytelling.

The best and worst of BioWare's excesses combine in this competent but unprogressive RPG.

Codemasters’ stewardship of the F1 licence finally gets into top gear with a thrillingly rigorous simulation that also makes every effort to make its appeal as broad as possible.

A fiercely original take on traditional computer role-playing games that often seems unrefined and self-indulgent but is still a welcome shake-up of genre norms.

One of the best Zelda games of all time and one which manages to quietly rewrite the series’ usual formula in some surprising, and surprisingly successful, ways.

A fantastic mix of explosive action and thoughtful storytelling, that results in one of the most unpredictable and ambitious action role-players of the modern era.

A carefully considered sequel that avoids upsetting existing fans and offers an olive branch to newcomers – but although the PC version is the best it’s by a slimmer margin than many would’ve hoped.

A fantastic big budget remake of one of Resident Evil’s most popular entries, that manages to look state-of-the-art but in terms of gameplay finds a perfect balance of old and new.

A triumphant return to centre court for Donkey Kong, with the best destruction effects in gaming and mountains of bizarre and wonderful ideas - and a surprising amount of jank when it comes to the camera.

Easily the best Far Cry game so far, with a near perfect mix of open world exploration, action, impressively ambitious storytelling, and one of gaming's best villains.

A staggering achievement in terms of role-playing interactivity and flexibility, that also manages to be both accessible and maintain a fun sense of the absurd.

A carefully considered sequel that avoids upsetting existing fans and offers an olive branch to newcomers – all the while retaining its position as one of the most challenging, and rewarding, video games of modern times.

A vast improvement on the flawed original, with much more variety and a much greater sense of fun.

Animal Crossing finally gets a sequel that moves the franchise forward, in a surprisingly timely release that is perfect for this year in terms of both its gameplay and its philosophy.

One of the best third person actioners of all time manages to make Dante and Kratos look like amateurs.

By ironing out the last few wrinkles from the original console versions, and adding in a few extra features, Diablo finally feels at home with a gamepad.

The Street Fighter of online shooters is an inspired new take on familiar ideas, that proves personality really does go a long way.

A fantastic sequel which succeeds in providing a mechanically deeper role-playing experience, while still being one of the best-written games around.

The best Mario role-player yet is sharply funny, surprisingly deep and endlessly inventive.

A masterpiece in physics-based destruction and one of the most entertaining ways to fall out with friends ever devised.

After a string of disappointing downloadable expansions, for well respected games such as Fable II and Fallout 3, this provides almost everything a Grand Theft Auto IV fan would have been hoping for.

The risk taken with the new defensive system has paid off and all the changes add up to make this the most realistic football experience to date.

A host of new refinements makes this the best FIFA yet and probably the best football game ever.

The best Spider-Man game ever and probably the best use of Venom in any medium outside of comics, with the stunning visuals and slick gameplay overcoming a certain overfamiliarity.

A bad Zelda is still a good game by any other standard but this does frustrating little to improve its standing, beyond making the graphics look even more stunning.

Gorgeous visuals and some sublime visual storytelling, Ori And The Blind Forest might not do much that is genuinely new but almost everything it does attempt is genuinely great.

The iPhone's best game emerges from the shadow of LocoRoco as one of the best portable puzzlers ever.

he name Tetris Effect was well chosen, because you really do feel the game altering your perception, as it and the Tetriminoes become your whole world. You play Tetris Effect but you also get the feeling that it is playing you, the blending of game and gamer reaching a peak in which they seem almost one and the same.

Much more than just another indie Metroidvania, as the intricate level design, gorgeous visuals, and clever item usage conspire to make one of the most entertaining puzzle adventures of the generation.

A fantastic mix of explosive action and thoughtful storytelling, that results in one of the most unpredictable and ambitious action role-players of the modern era.

This is a simulation, and very much not a game, but it’s also the most graphically impressive console experience ever seen and one of the best adverts for Xbox Game Pass so far.

A wordless and atmospheric puzzle game that’s just as ingenious and inventive as Limbo and Inside, but with more substantial gameplay and perfect pacing.

An expertly constructed and intricate roguelite deck builder that draws on the language and concept of poker, before twisting it with an infinity of modifiers, unlocks, and delicately balanced risk and reward.

The game may never live down the notoriety of its designer but this is still one of the most entertaining and imaginative indie games of the last decade.

The Japanese role-player grows up, with a fantastic mix of traditional gameplay and daring plot.

Gorgeously presented and cleverly designed, this impressively realised Metroidvania excels in every area except originality.

It may not be able to claim much originality compared to its predecessor, or Metroidvania games in general, but this is still one of the best examples of its craft this generation.

Still one of the greatest achievements in video game storytelling and while the changes are minor the new roguelike mode and cut levels are interesting and worthwhile additions.

A wonderfully strange and imaginative indie adventure that delights in terms of its visuals, storytelling, and enjoyably unpredictable gameplay.

As much mood piece as video game, but the mix of stark atmosphere and clever puzzles is hard to resist.

One of the best stealth games in years and an accomplished 2D platformer in its own right, with a near perfect balance, of depth, accessibility, and bloodshed.

Unlike many Japanese action games of this type, it’s not impossibly hard on the lower difficulty levels, and all the different elements are introduced at an agreeably easy pace. Bayonetta herself may want to punish you but the game just wants to entertain and surprise. A goal it achieves with a cocksure level of competence that is surpassed only by the witch herself.

Indie gaming at its retro-loving best, with some of the most cunningly-designed and purposefully infuriating 2D gameplay of the year.

The DS is the definitive version but this still does some things better than the home consoles GTAs.

The definitive version of one of the most beautiful video games ever created, not to mention the best Zelda game that never was.

The most significant sequel in Civilization history maintains all of the series' most intriguing features while greatly improving the accessibility and combat.

Exactly what the 3DS needed to reenergise its fortunes and restate its purpose, and even if it's not as good as Galaxy it's still the best portable Mario since the Game Boy.

Generous in both content and price, this is another gold standard in DLC expansions – and in terms of 200cc mode one of the best free extras ever.

Not just one of the best strategy games of all-time but one of the best video games of any kind – and one that excites your emotions just as much as your brain matter.

The best Monster Hunter so far, and already one of the most compelling multiplayer games of the year – with an elegant balance between depth, difficulty, and accessibility.

Gaming’s ultimate eSport gets a well-considered makeover by the masters at Valve, although new ideas, and fixes for old problems, are currently thin on the ground.

The Trese Brothers have done an excellent job porting this from PC, and none of its wonderful depth and complexity has been lost in translation. Like FTL, this feels as though it was made to be played on an iPad. Whether you decide to work as a trader, explorer, glorified taxi driver, or become a pirate yourself, the sheer scale and open-endedness of Star Traders: Frontiers is never less than inspiring.

But despite all that it gets right we do wish that Guild Wars 2 had been bolder with the art style and the setting of its game world. Or that it had pushed its combat system even further and created something genuinely unique. Although the fact that it has no subscription fee is an unqualified positive that needs to be adopted as standard before free-to-play ruins everything.

An inspired and genuinely original puzzle game that offers plenty of value for money and one of the best reason so far to get your 3DS online.

A funny and supremely inventive story-driven puzzle game, with a plot based on Greek philosophy that’s delivered with the lightest of touches and a goofy sense of humour.

Some of the best storytelling so far in the series, and some inspired set pieces, but the chance to refine the gameplay has been sadly missed.

An evolution of last year's FIFA is enough for EA to win the battle of football games, but it may need to step up its game next year with PES improving.

An almost perfectly formed strategy game, that hides near infinite variety and depth beneath its deceptively simple presentation.

Its demands on players is as great as any FromSoftware game but persevere and Sekiro reveals itself as the most rewarding and nuanced ninja game in decades.

The best Tekken game of the modern era, with a vastly improved range of game modes and the most accessible and aggressive action the series has ever seen.

A brilliant reinvention of the series that maintains the epic of scale of battles and yet increases the accessibility and focus.

An almost total success and one of the best ever strategy games, with amazing scope and accessibility.

The best non-Mario platformer ever made and a stunning work of imagination, where the visuals, music, and gameplay all resonate in perfect harmony.

New modes such as NBA's Greatest are a welcome inclusion and add longevity to the game. Basketball fans will also be excited by the improvements to Franchise mode, and the overall first class presentation.

The most visually impressive and entertaining game on PlayStation VR, with an incredible sense of scale and boundless imagination.

Sony's super-stylised future racer may still be download-only but this expansion is worth every penny.

An evolutionary improvement on the original and by consequence one of the best co-operative first person shooters ever made.

The third time is still lucky for the best version yet of one the greatest ever Japanese role-players.

A stylish and brilliantly designed blend of first person shooter and platformer, which nails the compelling and addictive chase for the perfect run.

One of the best Japanese role-players of last generation is still one of the best on current formats, with an excellent remaster that includes a generous amount of new content.

Always a jewel in the Zelda crown, and this remake successfully smooths out some of its rough edges – without losing the edgy appeal of Link’s most unique adventure.

It’s not perfect but The Walking Dead is one of the most important advances in interactive fiction for a generation, with some of the most memorable characters of any video game.

PopCap Games' best game and probably the best ever Tower Defence – and it works just as well as you'd hope on the Xbox 360.

An essential addition for any Monster World fan that offers a mountain of genuinely new content that includes some of the game’s best monsters.

There's no gain without pain in this unusual and atmospheric, but incredibly punishing, action RPG.

It’s almost entirely backwards-looking, and the characterisation is disappointingly dry, but for fans of Baldur’s Gate and its era this will have you partying like it’s 1998.

An almost perfectly formed strategy game, that hides near infinite variety and depth beneath its deceptively simple presentation.

Superbly successful action role-player that allows you to live a full fantasy life of your choosing.

Timeless gameplay, visuals and music come together in one of the best shoot ‘em-ups of all time; with the new level and VR options only adding to the immersion.

The Wario Land formula is reinvented and improved upon in this magnificently clever and surreal platformer, that is more fun than any of the official Nintendo games.

Its goals and improvements may be more modest than the last game but this is still an enjoyable return trip to Italy - especially in the company of friends.

It is just more of the same, but however minor the improvement this is still co-op gaming at its best.

One of the best first person shooters of the generation, with significant improvements in depth and longevity – and even a half decent story mode.

No matter where you place it in your own personal hierarchy this is still an exceptionally well crafted and supremely entertaining video game. Where the series goes from here no one but Miyazaki knows, but if Dark Souls III does nothing else it confirms him as one of modern gaming’s most talented creators.

Another major success for Monolith Soft; Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a contender for the Nintendo Switch’s best role-playing game and one of its most impressive technical achievements.

The best arcade racer of not just this year but this whole generation of consoles, with an unrivalled sense of speed and the sheer joy of competition.

One of the best modern Super Mario titles is made that little bit better and accompanied by a brand-new game that bends the formula in new and exciting ways.

A wonderfully engrossing cosy game that combines the best of Minecraft and Fallout 4 to create a Pokémon spin-off that, for the first time in a long while, is constantly surprising you with its ambition and variety.

Generously-sized expansion, which despite increasingly rough edges has some of the best missions yet.

One of the greatest twin-stick shooters ever made, with some clever and original ideas married to a thumping soundtrack and appropriately minimalist visuals.