Despite all that could have gone wrong this is one of the best remakes this generation, with a triumphant return for old school split screen multiplayer.

It’s no wonder that Lumines Remastered still feels as excitingly addictive as it ever did. A light polishing of features and presentation is very welcome, but it’s the original marriage of gameplay and music that shines the brightest.

A 3D platformer which wears its inspirations on its sleeve but manages to offer enough individual style and unique platforming dynamics to stand on its own.

A superb mix of action and strategy that should be enough to convince everyone that turn-based doesn’t have to mean slow or serious.

By ironing out the last few wrinkles from the original console versions, and adding in a few extra features, Diablo finally feels at home with a gamepad.

More than just XCOM with talking animals, this inventive strategy game has plenty of new ideas of its own – even it’s a little lacking in replayability.

An unexpectedly enhanced version of one of the best action games of the PS2 era, which even now offers better and deeper combat than most modern rivals.

Even if it’s only been a year, time has not been kind to Dark Souls’ sequel and this remaster does little to help the situation – even if it ‘s a hugely engrossing game in its own right.

One of the best Shin Megami Tensei games returns, mixing standard Japanese role-playing with the series’ typically provocative story elements and Persona style gameplay.

So the question is: how good is the new map pack? And without hesitation the answer is: very good indeed.

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.

It’s spooky rather than scary but with a great script and characters, and some smart puzzles, this is a must-play for anyone who enjoys the kind of stories only video games can tell.

An impressively original horror game whose doom-laden atmosphere and relentless day/night cycle is more terrifying than any jump scare.

A no expense spared celebration of the most enduring shooter series of all time, with everything a Halo fan could wish for and more than enough to entertain everyone else.

This release includes all seven DLC packs, comprising challenge tombs, new weapons, and outfits, making it a real value for money proposition. It’s great rediscovering Lara’s swift journey from ingénue to casual mass murderer, via a whole lot of looted historical relics.

A highly inventive mix of genres that you’d normally think completely incompatible, but the end result is creepy, charming, and wonderfully unpredictable.

The best Lego game so far and one that defies both its simplicity and familiarity for an almost effortlessly entertaining co-op experience.

It's not a real overhaul for the series, but it is the best version so far - and so by extension one of the best portable video games ever made.

A very welcome surprise, that is one of the most enjoyably unique games on Xbox and one of the best rhythm action games in a very long time - as well as having arguably the best cel-shaded graphics ever seen.

Although all the brass and wood are reminiscent of The Room series, puzzles here don’t involve as much physical tinkering, instead offering more cerebral challenges, getting you to unpick written and pictorial clues, connecting props spread across different parts of each room. It also makes imaginative use of your mobile’s accelerometer in a set of conundrums that can be pretty taxing. Fortunately, there’s a hint system, but for anyone who enjoys having their brain teased this will be a delight.

It's not a real overhaul for the series, but it is the best version so far - and so by extension one of the best portable video games ever made.

Riders Republic is exactly the game it is trying to be, with a modern take on early 2000s xtreme sports games that works in terms of everything except the corporate-mandated ambience.

With excellent pixel art, Bomb Chicken is an engaging puzzle platformer with its own very distinct personality.

A great sequel to what is still probably the best Tower Defense game around, and a shining example of how to do free-to-play properly.

A welcome return to MonkeyIsland and a promising first episode to a new season of graphic adventuring.

An essential purchase for any Monster Hunter fan, that also happens to be one of Capcom’s best ever PC ports.

Easily the best real-time strategy on a console, and a fast-paced, accessible wargame that every Xbox owner should try and experience.

Low on innovation but high on spectacle, as the cumulation of the last several years of Need For Speed games the first entry on the next gen is already one of the best.