More than just a standalone expansion, this is another genre-blurring tour de force by Relic.

A Japanese role-player that everyone can enjoy, and which mixes old school influences and some interesting innovations to charming effect.

One of the grandfathers of tactical role-playing returns with an ambitious new remaster, that includes a surprising number of improvements and only a few missteps.

As bizarre a mix of genres, art style, and subject matter as you could ever hope to see. But it all works together surprisingly well and this remaster is well deserved.

Unlock skills, nurture your commanders and do your very best to stay alive in this fascinatingly tricky game of tactics that if anything works even better on a touchscreen than it did on PC and consoles.

An excellent 3D platformer that rather than just trying to copy Nintendo has plenty of ideas of its own, with some thrilling freeform action.

The technical achievements don't come without a cost, and the game world still lacks personality, but this is still a first person shooter of impressive talents.

One of Cave's finest moments loses surprisingly little in its move to the iPhone, with excellent controls and plenty of extras.

Being a Persona spin-off is almost incidental to what remains one of the best new one-on-one fighters of the outgoing generation.

A rare chance to celebrate a developer’s work through three whole decades, and even if some classics are missing what’s left still represents a laudable achievement in gaming.

One of the best video games to ever be based around cycling, with the stylised visuals and pitch perfect controls creating an impressively immersive experience.

A far better game than many would’ve imagined, not just in terms of its action and Lord of the Rings authenticity – but in bringing a genuinely new idea to gaming.

Coming with all three tranches of DLC, this is another roaring success from the team at Feral Interactive and a welcome return for a spin-off that is considerably more entertaining than some of the mainline entries.

The best Pokémon game ever just got slightly better, with an even more expansive endgame and some welcome, if trivial, new tweaks and additions.

The battle system is excellent but the Shin Megami Tensei series once again misses a golden opportunity to reincarnate itself, with its sparse plot and sky high difficulty.

Sony’s first experiment on the PC is just that, with a disappointingly glitchy port of one of the PlayStation 4’s most technically advanced exclusives.

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.

The best theme park sim of the modern era, even if a few underdeveloped elements mean it’s not quite the ultimate roller coaster ride yet.

Another excellent expansion for the indie classic, and arguably the equal of the original in terms of retro thrills and 8-bit mentality.

Not just a great crossover game but a highly distinctive fighter in its own right, with some of the most innovative - and accessible - ideas to hit the genre in years.

One of the best looking fighting games ever and the most successful attempt yet to make an interactive anime, even if it is a little lacking in content and new ideas.

Like any good firework display this fun platformer retains its charm even after the novelty runs out.

The definitive version of Tempest and as such one of the best arcade games ever made, even if it’s only a minor improvement on previous versions.

Konami's reinvention of the footy sim still impresses a year later, even if this is largely the same game.

A great remake of an overlooked classic, and one of the few games that can survive close comparison with The Legend Of Zelda and retain a style all of its own.

It's no Angry Birds - because it's not trying to be. Instead, it's a cheerful and attractive twist on an always-popular gameplay mechanic that's already a deserved hit with casual gaming fans. It's more Placid Bird Suffused With A Sense Of Innocent Child-Like Wonder.

Treasure’s cult 2D shooter remains as uniquely entertaining as always, and surprisingly well adapted for a modern PC.

BlazBlue goes out in a blaze of glory, and although it lacks new ideas it certainly isn’t short of characters, game modes, or thrilling action.

The PS Vita finally gets something to sing about with a beautifully conceived mix of platform action, striking visuals, and perfectly orchestrated music.

The attempts to innovate in terms of storytelling and structure feel superficial and ineffective, leaving Gears 5 to survive purely on its increasingly overfamiliar action.

Another great indie detective game that not only makes solving crimes fun and interesting but has some surprisingly good storytelling to tie everything together.

Still the best boxing sim around but the justification for this new sequel is pretty thin, despite a number of minor improvements.

The world’s least realistic golf game is a tour de force in manic invention that values variety, invention, and surrealist humour above all.

An unsatisfying facsimile of Resident Evil 4 with none of the style or excitement, just more bugbears.

God Of War fans are well served, but these are neither the best entries in the series nor the best example of a Classics HD collection.

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.

A mediocre remaster of an all-time classic, but by the mere act of fixing (most of) the frame rate problems this becomes the definitive version of one of the decade’s most influential video games.

The best ever portable Shin Megami Tensei, with an interesting spin on the tactical role-playing genre.

A very promising start to what is mechanically just another Telltale adventure, but where the comedy and characterisation feels very different to their more recent games.

A fabulously detailed racing game with a huge car roster and engrossing single-player modes, slightly marred by forcefully encouraging you to perform practise laps before races.

If not the best tennis sim ever then certainly the most realistic, and with a training tool that should be the envy of any other game.

An excellent multiplayer and the best version of Battlefield ever on a console, but a lesser game than on the PC and with a very poor single-player mode.

The improvements are incremental at best but this still seems like a near perfect MMA game.

More accessible and finally sporting an online mode, but the clumsy combat still limits the hunt's appeal.

A significant improvement on the original and undoubtedly the best 2D Soulslike game so far, with a macabre and imaginative style all of its own.

A hugely successful sequel, that's as surefooted as its hero when it comes to handling its enormous scale and near endless range of features.

It may sound like a copout, but it makes swords and daggers (and combat sandals) viable and maintains the sense of speed without having to repeatedly stab at the screen. It also supports MFI controllers for those preferring the original experience, and remains a defining and hugely addictive piece of entertainment.

Borrowing so obviously, from so many classic games, was always a risk but this stylish platformer pulls off its theft with some élan.

Still the best non-Mario platformer ever made and a stunning work of imagination, but if anything this is the worst version so far – not the best.

One of the best strategy role-players on any format, especially with the brand new scenario and mountains of content in this new 3DS version.

The story campaign can be a little bland, at least when playing on your own, but otherwise this does a fine job of bringing Gears into the current gen.

BioWare really has saved the best till last with a downloadable expansion that not only justifies the expense but your faith in the Mass Effect franchise.

The story campaign is a mild disappointment but the multiplayer is a bold reinvention of the Halo experience, that should keep the series fresh for years to come.

It still seems bizarre there’s no console version but if you must play a PlayStation 2 era GTA game on a touchscreen then this is a good as you can ever imagining it working.

One of the best point ‘n’ click adventures of all-time still has much to teach modern gaming in terms of puzzle design and engaging characters.

Still easily the best sports management game around, and although most of this year's changes are fairly trivial they're all extremely welcome.

Even without any new content the portability is enough of a draw to enthral veteran players all over again, while anyone new to the series will wonder how they ever did without it.

More accessible and better value than the PC original, and with the same beautiful 2D visuals – Trine 2 sets the Wii U's eShop off to an excellent start.

The definitive example of the stealth strategy game and a worthy swansong for developer Mimimi Games, as they deliver a charming and surprisingly accessible pirate swashbuckler.

Metallica fans will be happy enough, but everyone else will lament the lack of evolution and poor value.

Metroid and Castelvania face a new challenger, as the bizarre world of Mexican wrestling inspires one of the most entertaining action adventures of recent years.

Still an excellent third person brawler, but not the subversive outsider the original was.

The turn-based battles don’t fully convince but the new protagonist and bizarre mini-games still feel distinctively and entertainingly Yakuza.

A fantastically well designed and presented roguelike, that makes your heroes’ mental health just as important as their physical well-being.

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

An even more impressive mix of horror and personal drama than the first episode, with intelligent writing, crowd-pleasing gore, and… far too many bugs.

One of the best portable role-players ever made and a joyful mix of bizarrely inventive gameplay and surprisingly sharp comedy.

A successful blend of Need For Speed and Burnout that lacks a little in personality, but certainly not in terms of content or online action.

An impressively complex action role-player, where every problem has multiple solutions, but it’s not always quite as smart as it thinks it is.

A few steps forward and a few steps back leave this technically accomplished shooter exactly where it was: still searching for a heart and identity of its own.

The best Advance Wars game never made and while there are a few flaws there’s also plenty of new ideas and a mountain of extra content.

Double Fine's best game since Psychonauts is unique in both setting and gameplay, with an enchanting mix of absurdist logic and striking presentation.

The best new rhythm action game for years, with a perfect blend of gameplay, music, and a frighteningly oppressive atmosphere.

A worthy successor that is sure to please many and is easily the best option for any Formula One fanatics out there. It's not without its problems, but it has moved the series forward with a vastly improved handling model and a more engrossing race environment that will almost certainly have you believing you really are Lewis Hamilton for a split-second.

It spends too much time recreating the genius of Metroid rather than adding to it, but this is still one of the best examples of the genre in recent years.

Gaming's politest protagonist returns with another generously stocked portable puzzle compendium.

A vast improvement on the first episode and a suitably ambitious send-off for both BioShock Infinite and the people that made it.

Thankfully Alphabear 2 removes the ability to purchase unlimited honey, preventing you from immersing yourself to the exclusion of everyday activities, but its mechanics and gameplay remain just as riveting, alternating puzzle levels with ones played against the clock.

It can’t match FTL’s perfection, and its assortment of 300 events start repeating much earlier than you’d imagine, a problem exacerbated by how story-focused it is, making the repetition particularly glaring. It’s still very good though, with a solid script and beautiful pixel art styling.

Excellent remakes of two of the most important games in JRPG history, with pitch perfect presentation and a substantial charm, despite the inherent simplicity.

It may have the framework of an ordinary city builder but there’s an insightful, and frequently disturbing, philosophical message at the heart of this cross-genre classic.

A sizeable improvement on last year’s already excellent game, with major changes and minor tweaks that will delight veteran players and encourage newcomers.

A remake more than a reinvention, but one that retains all the simple gameplay and outrageous gore that made the original games fun.

If you have PlayStation VR then this is a must-have title, but even if you don’t it’s still one of the best arcade games we’ve ever played. It may seem off-puttingly weird to some but ignore all the florescent cows and 8-bit sound effects and you have one of the purest action experiences of the modern age. Or don’t ignore them, and revel in one of the most gloriously strange, constantly inventive, shooters available on any platform.

The gameplay and graphics are as enjoyable as ever, but this spin-off feels more like a rerun of Uncharted 4 than a genuinely new experience.

The best Advance Wars game never made, whose post-launch update smooths out the rough edges and creates a strategy game that’s more accessible and fun than ever.

An excellent compilation of seven games from the heyday of Bomberman, but it’s a shame it doesn’t have more online options, to make joining in the multiplayer fun easier.

The best SoulCalibur VI of recent generations, with an accessible but tactically deep combat system. But while the single-player options are much improved they’re still far from perfect.

Beautiful presentation and an intriguing open world environment, but the misjudged difficultly level is just too punishing.

A justifiably indulgent celebration of some of indie gaming's greatest triumphs, and one that deserves to be experienced by every Wii owner - and beyond.

The best arcade racer for years and a magnificent spectacle that makes racing exciting again.

Each region’s effectively its own puzzle, and even in the training level it’s highly unlikely you’ll be able to complete all the goals, recycle your buildings, and take off in your airship on your first attempt. It’s got a meditative pace, but with so many possibilities to consider at each stage you’ll be glad of that.

An engrossing stealth action game, featuring incredible scenery and facial animation that shames many triple-A games, never mind other indie titles.

A good value expansion for what is both one of the most imaginative puzzle games of the year and one of the best co-op experiences.

Beneath the saccharine sweet exterior beats the heart of a monster, one that wants to devour your every waking moment with its wonderfully addictive platform action.

A truly wizard RPG, whose historical setting frees it from the limitations of the books and films, with an open world experience that entertains no matter how much you care about the source material.

Forget the original home console title, this charming 8-bit throwback is by far the superior game.

A wonderfully unfashionable mixture of old school aesthetics that doesn’t so much demand your time as steal it away without your permission.