Tetris and battle royale turn out to be a perfect match with probably the best multiplayer version of the game ever made.

The best turn-based tactics game since XCOM 2 and a fantastic spy adventure that has an appeal that goes well beyond just strategy fans.

Remakes of old N64 Mario Party boards may not sound the most desirable release of the season but in terms of easily accessible party games there are few better options.

A well designed, entertaining, and black humoured roguelite that does a great job of balancing long-term progress with the need to extend individual runs.

A very welcome compilation of two of the best story-based games of recent years, that manage to transcend their anime presentation and apparent absurdity.

If you want a 2D Dark Souls it’s hard to imagine From Software doing much better than this, even if it has too few original ideas of its own.

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.

Completely charming and wonderfully presented stealth puzzle game, that turns a horrible goose into one of the year’s most endearing video game stars.

More accessible and more immediate than ever before, whether it’s a hit or not Monster Hunter 4 is definitely the best of the series so far.

One of the most interesting things to happen to both massively multiplayer online games and shooters in years, and already a hugely enjoyable game in its own right.

A better Gran Turismo game than the real thing, with stunning graphics and mountains of content – although the use of loot crates and limited-use mods is worrying.

An inspired homage to old school Ninja Gaiden games, with a clever blending of genres and near perfect retro graphics and music.

A typically awful boxed set for such an influential series, but the games themselves work well in HD and this is still a useful primer for the series.

It may be a relatively small improvement but this is definitely the best of the series yet, and as a result one of the DS's best puzzle games.

The best Advance Wars clone so far on the Switch, with tons of content, accessible controls, and deceptively deep gameplay.

The best Mario Party in a very long time, and while it’s shallow and silly it’s also one of the few times casual and core gamers can compete in perfect (dis)harmony.

Some of the best 2D sprite work ever seen in a video game, and all used to support an impressively varied and imaginative Metroidvania.

One of the best retro homages of recent years, that cleverly combines the best elements of older 2D games with plenty of new ideas of its own.

Although the quality of the puzzles remains the same this unexpected expansion certainly isn’t just more of the same, with an unexpected new survival horror element.

At times inconsistent and unrefined but the echoes concept is excellent and allows for one of the most innovative and open-ended 2D Zeldas of the modern era.

A hugely successful reboot for the beloved point ‘n’ click adventure, that achieves its comeback without sacrificing either its sense of humour or some enjoyably tricky puzzles.

An admirably excellent slice of DLC that shares the same high production values as the original and adds plenty of unique features of its own.

R-Type journeys into the third dimensions but a lack of control and high entry fee spoils the trip.

Its ecological message is delivered with finesse and charm, and the hour or so its nine chapters will take you to complete is rarely less than enchanting.

A welcome comeback for Nintendo’s most minimalist mascot, that justifies itself with an extremely entertaining co-op mode.

Don’t let the name or presentation put you off: this is an impressive piece of interactive storytelling that gets more right than most other games with 10 times its budget.

A great sequel that is just as surreal and imaginative as the original and manages to be both a silly comedy platformer and a surprisingly affecting character study of regret and lost love.

One of the best Tower Defense action hybrids so far, with considerably more depth than the original - even if it still looks like the same game.

A surprisingly effort-filled remake of the first Mario & Luigi, which retains the same amusing script as before but revamps the graphics and presentation.

Wii MotionPlus delivers once more, turning the solid but flawed game into probably the best golf sim ever.

It’s only a small step forward from the last game but this is the most successful attempt so far to modernise Tomb Raider, even if the storytelling still has problems.

The spirit of Telltale Games lives on, in this interactive superhero animation, with cynical humour, excellent voice acting, and decisions that give at least the illusion of consequence.

It may not have started off life as a VR game but this roguelite first person shooter works perfectly as one, with excellent enemy variety and a mountain of zany weaponry.

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

The storytelling and characters are as dull as ever, but Horizon Zero Dawn remains one of the best open world experiences of the last gen and now looks better than ever.

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.

One of the most impressive PlayStation VR games so far, in terms of both its technical achievements and the sheer joy of playing it.

It’s still lacking a certain je ne sais quoi, but this is a definite improvement on the first game and a serious alternative to GTA V.

A very clever spin-off that subverts your expectations about Tactics games by replicating the gameplay and visuals of Metal Slug through the medium of a fast-paced and surprisingly innovative strategy game.

A whimsical and engrossing VR puzzle adventure, who’s lack of hand-holding and gentle discoveries prove consistently engaging and relaxing.

A clever mix of well-worn genres, that knows exactly what to take from each in order to create its own entertainingly unique experience.

A clever mash-up of two very different games that perfectly evokes the best of 2D Zelda while integrating the surprisingly tactical rhythm action combat of Crypt Of The NecroDancer.

The overwrought storytelling is not the sort of taste many will want to acquire, but that doesn't stop this being one of the best tactical role-players ever.

Puzzles involve picking your way through the darkened maze using walls of light to separate your spindly stick woman from aggressors and guiding her to pads in the floor which trigger the next door to open. It’s not a terribly good summer game, the perma-darkness making the action almost impossible to make out on a sunny day, but it’s a well made and atmospheric game with interesting puzzles and a distinct personality.

A fantastically inventive and charming adventure makes a successful leap from portable to home console, but the high asking price will make it a hard sell for many.

An inventive action platformer that manages to be both cute and gory in equal measure and where it seems absolutely impossible that it could be the work of primarily just two people.

An extraordinarily good port that seems physically impossible given the modest abilities of the Switch but is just as playable and enjoyable as the other console versions.

A great start to Codemasters' Formula 1 career, with astonishing visuals, great attention to detail and superb handling.

An excellent remaster of an unappreciated classic from the PC’s golden age, whose unique mix of genres seems more novel than ever.

One of the best Japanese role-players of the generation and a gloriously beautiful game by any standard, both visually and emotionally.

A charming paid-for addition to New Horizons that doesn’t feel exploitative even as it comes off the back of one of the best free updates in recent gaming history.

The latest episode in gaming’s most endearing soap opera has some minor script problems, but it’s still a joy to catch up with old friends and new enemies.

A surprisingly successful mash-up between two completely different franchises, whose quiet charms offer a welcome alternative to incessant action and overbearing storytelling.

Suda51’s punk attitude results in another uniquely bizarre third person action game, but this one has more life and originality to it than most of his other more recent titles.

A significant improvement on the reboot and while there are still a few flaws the core combat is some of the best in any first person shooter this generation.

Prettier, more accessible, and more varied than ever. This is one of the best new 3D fighters of recent years, even with a horribly disappointing story mode.

Addictive, tricky in all the right ways, and vastly more complex and subtle than it initially appears, the Apple Arcade version arrives with everything perfectly intact.

Another excellent compilation of forgotten Capcom fighters, with the revival of Power Stone and Capcom Vs. SNK being especially welcome – even if it’s a shame these aren’t the Dreamcast versions.

With a few, surprisingly minor, disadvantages brought about by touchscreen controls, Call Of Duty: Warzone Mobile does exactly what it says on the tin.

With an addictive role-playing style meta game letting your team of golfers earn experience points to power up their various strengths, it’s a superb and highly playable addition to Apple Arcade’s line-up.

Some useful improvements to the already solid current gen versions, although the loss of some game modes means it’s not the ultimate edition it could’ve been.

A fascinating experiment in alternative storytelling, filled with bold new ideas and some stunning visuals and music.

Minimalist adventuring that’s original, clever, and soothing – and a perfect example that gameplay and atmosphere is always more important than high-tech graphics.

The best Mario Kart clone of the nineties is also the best Mario Kart clone of the 21st century, with a stunning remake that offers welcome refinement and improvement.

Clever, cryptic, and with a wicked sense of humour, Recursion supplies a refined set of tools to go about solving its puzzles, and plenty of hints if the going gets too tough.

Complete with a comprehensive hint system for those moments when deduction and reasoning fail you, it may not have much in the way of animation but it’s every bit as good as the studio’s past outings.

A survival game that isn’t out just to punish its players, but to entertain; with an impressive mix of exploration, crafting, and survival horror.

Its lack of longevity and ancillary options are an issue, but this still plays like a classic and is one of the best shooters of its generation.

A successful attempt to modernise and broaden the appeal of the Tales series without completely abandoning its JRPG roots.

With no microtransactions or payment of any kind – and a likeable Terry Gilliam-esque anarchy to its animation – this is a lovely way of introducing yourself to various masterworks without once feeling you’re being lectured to.

Slow-paced, involving and increasingly tricky as you unlock more buildings, the interlocking webs of necessary ingredients make it a fascinating playground of time and resource management.

A compact and polished VR puzzle game with a sturdy, tactile feel and wonderfully evocative characters and environments.

It leans too much in the direction of the original when it comes to the puzzles and difficultly level but this is still an utterly charming romp, with wonderfully inventive set pieces and gorgeous visuals.

Following up last year’s well-received game is an unenviable task, but WWE 2K26 manages to build on what’s come before with some game-changing mechanics and welcome refinements.

An intelligent, thought-provoking, and extremely creepy adventure, that proves that survival horror can be more than just shooting zombies.

It may be the same game yet again but gorgeous visuals and cunning puzzles make Trine 2 a great showcase for the PlayStation 4 and its online store.

What starts as a sweet and endearing homage to 90s gaming evolves into a sophisticated and, at times, dark exploration of two troubled youths, in one of the best indie games of the year.

A polished, challenging and colourful 2D platform game that recalls the best of Donkey Kong Country on the SNES, even if it doesn’t really move beyond it.

Still one of the best on-the-rails shooters ever made and vastly superior to the modern sequels, despite some minor issues with the remake.

One of the best retro homages of recent years combines the choicest elements of older 2D games with plenty of new ideas of its own – as well as a completely free expansion pack.

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

Probably the best Space Invaders update yet, with a dazzling mix of new and old gameplay, graphics and sound.

A wonderfully weird console strategy game that’s inspired by the past but forges its own very distinct legend, with beautiful visuals and deep but accessible gameplay.

Once you get past They Are Billions’ multiple barriers to entry, and start to dig into its complexities for yourself, you’ll discover a fabulously complex and challenging game that’s not afraid to test you. For the right sort of masochist, it’ll be the start of dozens of hours of joyous yet cautious experimentation.

Utterly charming on (literally) every level, it may not offer much in terms of fast action but this is just as imaginative and engrossing as any Super Mario game.

There are ads to watch in return for gems and a fair few inducements to spend cash, but it’s a hugely involving and well-made game that does an amazing job of refining the classic MegaTen template into gameplay compact enough to be playable between train stops.

An unapologetically hardcore sequel that sacrifices accessibility to appease fans of Codemasters’ fledgling racing sim series.

Easily Mistwalker's best game so far and another sure sign that, with a bold enough creator, Japanese role-players can be just as exciting and innovative as their Western counterparts.

Still one of the best survival horror games of the generation and one whose thick atmosphere and surreal sojourns work surprisingly well on the PS Vita.

Another excellent addition to the Two Point series, bringing the customary levels of refinement and charm to simulating the business of museum creation and management.

A great first chapter and despite a few minor issues easily the most authentic interpretation of the graphic adventure in the modern era.

One of the most exciting driving sims of the new generation, and hopefully a game that will only get better over the coming months.

The same great Lost Vikings-inspired action platforming as the first game, but now with some of the most amazing 2D graphics ever seen.

A worthy celebration of one of the most important franchises in gaming, although by leaving out Street Fighter’s console heritage there are a few gaps in the content.

An excellent console port of a deep, impressively addictive, and very amusing, sandbox megalomaniac simulator.

The concept may sound absurd but the experience of playing Papers, Please shines a light not on the game’s hapless victims but on the player’s own sense of decency.

An excellent twin-stick shooter that borrows liberally from the likes of Doom and Devil May Cry, to create a punishingly difficult but extremely rewarding arcade game.

It might not be as funny as Portal but the puzzles are almost as inventive, in this contrived but entertaining crossover.