Fire Emblem Fates is so perfectly executed that I wonder how they’ll top it as the series progresses. Every complaint from Awakening has been addressed, leading to a fine-tuned strategy game that borders on genius.

The gameplay is a little shallow, but the real draw of Project X Zone is the localization as something like 90 characters are represented and the dialogue between them is a real hoot.

Inconsistent framerate, a muddled story and a poorly rendered open world keep LEGO Marvel’s Avengers from being mighty.

Final Fantasy Explorers is layered with systems and mechanics, some of which are great and others that aren’t. It all works best when it’s dripping with nostalgia, which might not make for an amazing game, but it makes for a good time if you’re a fan of Final Fantasy. It doesn’t have the nuance or depth of a Monster Hunter game, but it’s a decent, enjoyable experience that is well worth checking out, especially if you can play locally or online.

The first chapter of Minecraft: Story Mode is a fun start to a five episode series.

This game might not be a ton of fun, but I fell in love with it once or twice. It’s a train set, even if it is pretty limited, and that’s okay. I do wish there had been more to the story mode or an unlock system of sorts for more objects.

With a nice variety of puzzles and mechanics that will keep you engaged, it certainly deserves a shot.

I'd be lying if I said Nintendo Badge Arcade wasn't addictive; it was clearly designed that way. That said, this is the most disgustingly blatant, money grabbing game Nintendo has ever released.

It’s not for everyone, but if it’s for you, it’s a gaming experience you won’t likely forget.

Typoman is a gorgeous game with a lot of half-baked ideas (and physics) and, frankly, deserves better. As it exists, the game is not worth recommending.

SteamWorld Heist is another excellent game from the folks at Image & Form. While I wish that the skill trees were less linear, I honestly have nothing else to complain about.

F-Zero to the core, Fast Racing Neo is almost everything you’d want in a future racing game.

It’s a perfect gateway drug to nonogram puzzles if you’ve never tried them before. And if you’re a Picross vet hankering for more, this is well worth diving into as long as you’re okay with the fact that, if you want to play this free-to-start game without mindlessly repeating puzzles ad nauseum, you’re going to have to spend some money.

The game’s central issue is that, frustratingly, the hallways and offices of the asylum all look the same, with not even a change in wallpaper color from one floor to the next. You can get turned around very easily, and one wonders how many closets one hospital needs.

All of the pieces are in place for this to be the best Pokémon Mystery Dungeon game ever, and for plenty, it just might be. It’s ambitious, has a number of new mechanics, and tries to address the major criticisms of its predecessor while being as fun as ever. But when all of its parts come together, it feels weird and clumsy.

The fact that I plowed that time into the game and want to go back with more information to replay it should say a lot, though; Xenoblade Chronicles X is required playing for anyone with the slightest inclination toward RPGs, and if you need to buy the system then do it. It’s an essential part of the Wii U library.

Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam Bros. was enjoyable, but it suffers from some severe pacing problems.

Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash isn't good in the slightest. While the game can be decent in passing, it’s a horrible value when you stop and think about it. There is just one stadium, limited online options and less features than the previous two entries.

Witty writing and overall charm can only carry a game so far. Animal Crossing: Amiibo Festival has those two things in spades, but a barren wasteland of interesting gameplay makes it a party game that falls short of even the earlier 2015 disappointment Mario Party 10.

There are niggles and little things that could potentially annoy, but the sheer amount of content outshines any of it. Sit back, relax and step into the Fashion Narnia that is New Style Boutique 2.

Christmas Adventure of Rocket Penguin is just average.

As we come to the end of the year, I figured there’d be an Atlus-published strategy RPG on my game of the year list; I just never imagined there’d be two. But Stella Glow made beautiful music with my heart, and you definitely need to pick it up and get that soundtrack CD.

Outside of its smaller missteps, Retroid Interactive has created a multiplayer game that feels made for the Wii U. There is a good variety of words on offer, but the key to keep players is adding your own categories and tailor it constantly to new players.

I loved Octodad’s premise right when I heard about it, and I’m glad to finally have the chance to play it. The Wii U version doesn’t run at 100%, but It’s already sold me on any projects Young Horses works on in the future. I just hope it comes to a Nintendo platform sooner.

This game is expensive and only features nine minigames to choose from. All of them are either action or traditional puzzle games, which all have better versions somewhere out there.

There’s moments of fun to be found here, but I think I’d be better suited trying my luck on the consoles – at least there, I can expect a solid framerate and finer camera control. But the search for a quality 3DS character action game will have to continue for now.

If you’ve never experienced Toki Tori before, this 3DS remake is worth checking out.

It is entertaining for a little bit, but after that, the game offers nothing to compel the people who foolishly purchased it