Still the best Japanese role-player of the last generation, even if squeezing it down onto the New 3DS does it few favours.

The best Fire Emblem yet, with more depth of gameplay and options than ever before and yet still perfectly accessible for new players.

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

It’s certainly not the best entry in the Zelda series, but a good quality remaster and the presence of Midna still makes this one worth returning to.

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 best Monster Hunter yet, with some useful improvements in terms of combat variety and accessibility for new players – even if it still falls short of the series’ full potential.

WayForward's best work yet and more than just a love letter to 2D art and gameplay, but a hint of how it can continue in the future.

A work of devilish cleverness that’s both a mockery and celebration of collectible cards games and an increasingly disturbing horror story about the cost of victory.

A necessary reboot that fights accusations of dumbing down with an artful mix of stealth and violence.

One of the best strategy games to ever appear on a console, with some genuine gameplay innovation and authentic Nintendo magic.

The true successor to the SimCity legacy, and even though it only restates what was great about the original it still does a better job than the last decade or so of official games.

One of the best driving sims of the new generation, and although it still lacks content in some areas the console versions are just as good as the PC.

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

A superb remake of Metroid II and the best 2D entry since Super Metroid, that doesn’t compromise at all in terms of challenge, complexity, or atmosphere.

Another inspired mix of skateboarding and 2D platforming that manages to combine a surprising level of realism with some wonderfully impossible level design.

Simple, charming, and considerably improved on the 3DS. Dragon Quest isn’t for everyone but this bridges the gap between retro and modern games very well.

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

It’s unique while it lasts, though, its idle gameplay proving as engaging as ever, and its wilful misunderstanding of Stephen Hawking’s ideas, along with a peculiar obsession with potatoes, making it one to savour.

Moving beyond a mere homage to Dungeon Master this is one of the best dungeon crawlers of recent years, even if the puzzle balance still isn’t quite right.

Consistently underrated at the time this masterful mix of influences makes hardly a single mistake in all three games - and definitely deserves a fourth.

It may not have the depth of Street Fighter IV, but this is just as accessible and fun as its big brother.

Unleashing the full, terrifying complexity of a PC-based grand strategy game on console is a Herculean task, which Crusader Kings 3 manages with deftness and aplomb.

An inessential but enjoyable expansion for the best 2D Mario game of the modern era, with some fun multiplayer distractions and a soupçon of new single-player content.

Not at all what you’d expect from the makers of Dragon’s Crown, but as well as the expectedly beautiful artwork this has some of the most engaging high school melodrama this side of Persona.

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 deep, funny, and intricately designed RPG reminiscent of the golden age of Fallout, when conversations mattered and comedy-grade cynicism came fitted as standard.

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 excellent Yakuza game with some Switch 2 benefits, but the bonuses fail to justify the high price tag.