There are some inherent limitations with playing a four-player fighting game on a 3DS but this overcomes almost all of them, to become one of the portable’s definitive multiplayer games.

The best combat flight sim ever on a console, with a huge range of aircraft and locations - as well as difficultly settings to suit every kind of gamer.

Its challenge and ingenuity never falter in a game that channels the essence of Shovel Knight into a fresh format.

With its splendid mock 16-bit graphics (that come complete with a simulated CRT mode), chiptunes, a save system that lets you continue but resets your score, and an easy difficulty that gives you three layers of recharging shield, it’s tough but fair in the way that modern versions of old school shooters tend to be. This is a quality offering and easily amongst the best available for touchscreen devices.

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

Like most DLC it doesn’t introduce much in the way of new ideas but if you enjoyed Doom Eternal you’re going to love these new levels and their uncompromising challenge.

A Pokémon fighting game may not seem like the most obvious spin-off idea, but the end result is a surprisingly fun and inventive multiplayer game.

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.

Punishingly and infuriatingly hard, but also the best retro-inspired platform puzzler for years.

It’s very much its own game however, its Czech roots evident in both its art style and slapstick sense of humour, which features a much rowdier demeanour than past games from the studio. CHUCHEL is an irreverent, surreal rollercoaster ride that never lets ideas or cultural references outstay their welcome.

The best new music title for years and a significant improvement on the first game, with almost every complaint from the original addressed.

The Switch 1 version of Sonic X Shadow Generations is undeniably the worst one, if only for its locked frame rate of 30fps. Fortunately, the Switch 2 version is a solid revision that’s almost on par with the PlayStation 5 version.

Business as usual with a mediocre single-player campaign and one of the best multiplayer experiences in all gaming – and at last one that works just as well on consoles as on PC.

Professor Layton may offer a more cerebral challenge but Rhythm Thief has more than enough charm and imagination to waltz its way into your affections.

A slick sequel with promising, if shallow, career mode improvements. But it’s moving in the right direction and not far off achieving elite status.

Achingly beautiful god sim that struggles at times over structure and difficultly curve, but never in terms of spectacle or vision.

A stunning achievement in open world gameplay but one whose tonal inconsistencies and weak narrative undermines what could have been an all-time classic.

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’s not the plot that’s important in Deltarune but the bizarre range of characters and the surreal situations you find yourself in. Although at the heart of it all is a very pacifist ideology, that celebrates the power of love and the need for empathy without ever seeming mawkish or patronising. And while also paying homage to old school Japanese role-players and having a cracking soundtrack.

The storytelling is lacking but otherwise this is one of the most interesting Japanese role-players of recent years, and one that isn’t afraid to take inspiration from other genres.

One of the best remakes ever, but also a puzzle platformer that defies its age to offer an enjoyable challenge to gamers both young and old.

It's a better shooter, but the overfamiliar plot and setting makes for a less interesting game overall.

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

The best version of Control so far, that makes good use of the PlayStation 5’s features and leaves plenty of hope and anticipation for a future sequel.

The definitive portable version of Minecraft, with almost all the features of the current gen home console editions combined with the convenience of the Nintendo Switch.

As simplistic and shallow as it is, the game is still as much fun as ever, with this version also adding a time attack mode and allowing for rewinds and VRR support.

Not quite a killer app but certainly the best New Super Mario Bros. game so far, and an occasionally inspired 2D platformer in its own right.

A well designed, technical tour de force that lives up to the enticing prospect of an officially licensed Codemasters rally game.