Far more interested in fixing the flaws of the original than most sequels, this is probably the best, or at least most accurate, use of Kinect so far.

A very narrow selection of games, from a format that does not work well on modern TVs, but Aria Of Sorrow in particular stands out as one of the best Castlevania games ever made.

An inspired mix of real science, sandbox gameplay, and space simulation – that is both a lot more entertaining and a lot more accessible than you’d expect.

Another meaty chunk of downloadable content for Borderlands 2, with a great mix of play styles and some wonderfully OTT quests and characters.

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.

An excellent send-off for Geralt and The Witcher 3, and although the jokes don’t always hit home the stunning visuals and breadth of content do.

It’s been a long wait for a World Of Goo sequel and the only real complaint with this amusingly inventive follow-up is that there’s not more of it.

It’s a surprisingly expansive mobile interpretation of its older sibling, your clone pilot gradually earning and learning new skills, and with that the ability to fly better spacecraft. Ship-to-ship combat takes place at huge range in the empty blackness of space, but it’s nevertheless satisfying blowing away space pirates with your slowly improving arsenal.

It may well end up being Nintendo's last game on the Wii, but it's an impressively subversive swansong that is neither as crude - nor as easy - as it looks.

A highly imaginative puzzle game made all the more entertaining by its argument-inducing co-op options.

2K had little choice but to listen to its community following the damage done last year but they’ve rebounded with possibly their best-ever title.

Something close to a minimal effort, but with FIFA 10 powering the action it's still hard to resist.

An inspired new take on the 2D Metroidvania concept, whose challenging combat and rewarding exploration is accompanied by some stunning audio and visual design.

Not only one of the 3DS's best launch games but also one of the most accessible and entertaining turn-based strategies of recent years.

A solidly made and entertaining racing game with loads to unlock, whose minor graphical shortcomings and sim-lite handling do nothing to interfere with long term appeal.

A welcome return to form for the series, and while the co-op puzzle-solving no longer seems quite as original as it once did it’s never been as enjoyable or varied as this.

An incredible work of imagination and one of the best-looking games of the generation. The gameplay can’t quite match the magic of the presentation, but it’s not far behind.

As unique a vision as video gaming has ever seen and one able to use even its many incompetencies to entertain and surprise.

Although all the combos, stances and weapons make it to the small screen, the touch controls are no match for a proper controller, instantly putting mobile players at a disadvantage in the game’s all-platform cross-play matches. Still, for a totally free game with only cosmetic microtransactions, you’d have to be an inveterate choosing beggar to complain too loudly.

Deciding when to make a run for base camp with your loot is an exercise in brinkmanship, in this highly addictive and touchscreen-friendly game.

An impressively ambitious attempt to make a VR-only action game that is both a visual spectacle and a highly enjoyable role-player, full of imaginative ideas.

An ingenious, colourful, and gloriously framed platform puzzle game that effortlessly blends 2D puzzles with the 3D world that surrounds them.

A superior example of the visual novel, with some of the most compelling storytelling of the generation, even if it’s not very interactive.

Considerably more depth and variety than the original, and with even more stunning visuals - this is as good as smartphone and tablet gaming gets.

Not one of the standout entries for the series, with just a few useful additions that never go quite far enough. Not that it tempers the game's addictive powers.

Its sedate pace, delightful art style, and distinct personality translate well to touchscreen, the page turning and clue sorting lending itself nicely to the tactile environment.

The flawed storytelling squanders its full potential but even with a few missteps this is still one of the most enjoyable action games of the year.

A revamp of Lumines which, in the spirit of Tetris Effect, amplifies its puzzling core with slick visuals, fun new mechanics, and one of the best soundtracks of the year.

Not quite up to the same standards of its predecessors, but this is still an emotionally draining and beautifully realised story of friendship against the odds.

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

An inspired mix of roguelike and platformer that dares to be fair with its rewards and its penalties for death – although not necessary its random medical conditions.

Nicely designed, and benefitting from a wonderfully addictive upgrade path, its touchscreen controls work more than well enough in the slow-moving sub-aquatic environment.

A hugely impressive achievement in interactive storytelling, that tackles difficult subjects head-on but still manages to be life-affirming and relatable.

The debt to Advance Wars still overshadows it, but despite a relative lack of new features this is a solid sequel to one of the best indie strategy games of the last few years.

A gloriously colourful VR flight simulator with a wealth of content and things to do, that never takes itself too seriously despite its dedication to authentic flying.

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.

The most enjoyable MotorStorm game by far and arguably the best game on the PS Vita - or at the very least the best value for money.

One of the most enjoyable and original fighting games of recent years, that fully justifies its use of motion controls – and it’s only set to get better in the future.

From the creator of Katamari Damacy comes something even stranger that redefines the idea of gameplay.

Playing an 8-bit style text adventure on the Nintendo Switch is novelty enough but this inspired mix of weird horror and puzzle-solving is more than just a blast of ‘80s nostalgia.

Rather than iron out the faults of the original this new platformer construction kit tries to hide them under a wave of useful but inessential extras.

The best sequel to Chrono Trigger there’s never been, with a pseudo-Japanese role-player that maintains a delicate balance between retro homage and modern indie game.

A great simulation game that works impressively well on consoles. Although at times it almost feels like a psychology study of the player rather than the inmates.

Far more than just a match-three puzzler, Clash Of Heroes is a unique strategy role-playing hybrid that has a massive amount to offer in terms of both its solo campaign and multiplayer.

An exacting remake of Diablo 2 that will not only please those that played it the first time round on PC but works impressively well on consoles too.

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

Mortal Kombat continues to excel in areas that other fighting games ignore, with a new sequel that impresses in terms of both visuals and gameplay.

An impressively courageous reboot that channels the hard-edged heart of the series while discarding its more antagonistic baggage.

Some of the most fearless and idiosyncratic storytelling ever seen in a video game, married to one of the most viciously entertaining shooters of the generation.

Unusual, peaceful and weirdly gripping, Roia is a meditative treat from start to finish.

A remarkable comeback for the franchise, with a redesigned game engine and control overhaul making for a very entertaining experience.

The best Defender clone for years and arguably the best next gen launch title on any console, although that says far more about its rivals than it does Resogun itself.

Still one of the best action games ever made and although this is technically the best-looking version it still doesn’t really feel like the definitive one.

An inspired mix of real science, sandbox gameplay, and space simulation – that is both a lot more entertaining and a lot more accessible than you’d expect.

Easily the best One Piece video game there’s ever been and a genuinely fun and innovative Japanese role-player in its own right.

While it’s undemanding and not a game in the conventional sense, the high production values, tactility, and level of detail make Townscraper a delight to interact with for those who fancy a break from all that touchscreen twitch.

Yet another entirely inessential special edition of one of the best video games ever made.

It’s a harder sell than The Walking Dead but this first episode is a promising start, that avoids fretting over details and instead creating characters you will genuinely care about.

You could just buy the classic Bubble Bobble and Rainbow Islands separately but while none of the other games in this retro arcade collection are anywhere near as good, they are all at least interesting.

A knowing tribute to some of the greats of action gaming, and a highly competent 2D shooter in its own right.

An excellent return to form for gaming’s favourite beat ‘em-up franchise and while it doesn’t represent much evolution from the original games it’s still just as much fun as ever.

Forget Worms and all the rest, when it comes to parabola-judging multiplayer mayhem this is the best.

One of the best-looking video games ever made and although relatively shallow the spectacle and excitement of the Star Wars universe comes across superbly well.

One of the best offline co-op games of recent years, with a wonderfully antagonistic premise, that destroys and rebuilds relationships on an almost minute-to-minute basis.

The original was good enough that a Definitive Edition seems unnecessary, but the small additions and improvements only make this gorgeous platformer even more essential.

A solid roguelike with a fun and well-balanced challenge, but it does little to move the formula forward and in certain respects is actually inferior to its predecessor.

Easily the best Transformers game ever, but also a tantalising glimpse of how to transform current action games into something more inventive and imaginative.

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

A fun, cathartic romp through demonic armies, with two fun characters that offer plenty of personality and an interesting alternative to other Diablo style role-players.

A clever management sim that pays homage to both the arcades of the 1990s and the exquisite drudgery of teenage jobs.

A largely unnecessary sequel to what is still the best beat 'em-up on the DS – or indeed any portable.

Its mellow pace, peaceful sound effects, and steady built-in intensity are reminiscent of Nintendo’s formative Game & Watch titles, with Mini Motorways remaining mesmerising throughout.

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

The Settlers goes back to basics, putting a friendly face on complex resource management.

It’s a well-designed game, with a rewind button that lets you instantly skip back to the beginning of courses, and clever use of music to let you know you’re in a challenge rather than just noodling about on the snow. The first mountain is free, with all the others unlocked for a one-off payment.

A successful relaunch of the Shinobi franchise that doesn’t attempt to do anything startlingly new but instead makes do with being a very well-constructed action adventure.

A small but welcome improvement on Fallen Order, that offers little in the way of originality but does have some of the best lightsaber fights and Soulslite action this side of the Outer Rim.

In an ideal world it all would’ve been included in the main game, but if you can get past that this is a great set of DLC extras.

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

Even though it's let down by longevity and a lack of ancillary options this still plays like a classic and is one of the best new shooters of its generation.

The series may no longer be the graphical tour de force it once was, but all three Crysis games remain highly playable, your nanosuit’s suite of powers adding a distinct twist to the shooter action.

One of the best story-based games of the year, that manages to capture the joys and pains of childhood (and riding bikes) in a very relatable and compelling way.

A relative low point in Zelda history but still a hugely addictive and superbly well designed adventure.

A good quality compilation of some of Capcom’s more overlooked fighting games, although there are a few filler titles and some unfortunate omissions.

Not a very good argument for why Nintendo shouldn’t make smartphone games, but an imaginative and enjoyable take on Candy Crush Saga and its ilk.

Disturbing yet thought-provoking survival horror sequel, that stumbles slightly in terms of the repetitive combat but is easily the best new entry in the series since the PS2 era.

Technically this is the best Splatoon ever, but the complete lack of anything approaching a new idea is profoundly disappointing.

A stunning work of imagination, with a collection of high quality boss battles to rival any other in gaming – and a difficultly level that’s equally hard to beat.

The best boxing sim ever gets even better, with stunning graphics and immersive, if controversial, controls.

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

One of the best 2D shooters of the modern era is also one of the most visually distinctive games of the whole generation, and a stunning work of imagination on every level.

Gearbox’s venerable looter shooter has finally developed a modicum of maturity, with improved gunplay, a proper open world, and some half-decent storytelling.

Only the limiting nature of the PSP holds back the most ambitious and fully-featured Metal Gear ever.

One of the best Call Of Duty games in years, with one of the greatest campaigns in the franchise’s history, along with solid, if somewhat less ambitious, multiplayer and co-op modes.

A hardcore roguelike that has none of the niceties of most modern equivalents and yet its old school charm and small innovations make it enjoyable despite itself.

The price is no doubt Atari’s doing but it makes recommending the game a lot harder than it used to be. And yet when the bad guys are falling like skittles, as you skid past one and quickly jump back to explode him and his cohorts, any qualifications about the game being too retro, too familiar, or too expensive fall away. But it is frustrating that the game’s most important talking point has become how much it costs and not how it plays.

A massive and complex fantasy themed 4X strategy game, made appealingly straightforward thanks to its cleverly refined interface.

Probably the closest you'll ever get to another Project Gotham Racing, with a fantastic-looking open world filled with top class racing opportunities.