Every brick placed and every button pressed is a little bit magical.

If you worship at the altar of Ken and Ryu, you'll have Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition already. If you're simply a casual fan, with Super Street Fighter IV already, there is no reason to get this as a stand-alone game, considering that the only noticeable additions are the four new characters which you can just download as DLC for Super Street Fighter IV.

A bit repetitive, but the later games make this worthwhile.

The most fun you can have with yourself.

Pokemon White Version 2 is an enigma. It's simultaneously a solid Pokemon game, with loads of content and value out the wazoo, but also deeply disappointing thanks to the developers continued refusal to revamp the core of the age-old experience.

Aside from the challenges, truly mastering the controls of this game and really exploring the available environments will keep you busy forever.

The game that lucky little boy’s Dad created is dark, charming, and wildly varied, with a merge of English and Japanese imagery.

An interesting fresh start for The Walking Dead, but it all feels a bit too familiar.

While it's definitely not going to win any awards in the gameplay department, it does dial up the level of detail that we can expect visually from an open-world game. It also delivers enjoyable, intensely violent action for anyone who wishes they could fill the boots of Chow Yun Fat or Jet Li.

That small gripe aside, MLB The Show 15 is an excellent game and the franchise still rivals FIFA and Madden for the best sports simulation game.

Company of Heroes 2 is a good World War 2 strategy game. But it’s not a memorable World War 2 experience.

Rime is for those who appreciate Team Ico, That Game Company, Abzu, Never Alone, or any peaceful-minded game where emotion plays centre stage. Granted, it doesn’t have the same finesse, as the mechanics have little to do with anything else. The developers clearly had a story on their hearts, but didn’t sync it to the rest of the game. Subsequently the gameplay often feels like a reluctant participant to a particularly touching tale.

Red Steel 2 has a fantastic control system, finally delivering on the promises made by the original, and the Samurai and cowboy sensibilities make for an interesting mashup and a fun premise.

A respectful and highly polished game which is sure to please nostalgic fans, but also hopefully introduce whole new generations to a game that came out in the mid-90’s. In an era where games are becoming more complicated and leaning towards epic storylines, it’s refreshing to hoon around as a crazy bandicoot and test those old-school platforming chops that I earned from my younger days all over again.

If you don’t have Lego Star Wars or Lego Star Wars II and you’re in the market for a cute, family-friendly affair that can be enjoyed by young and old, then Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga is worth every penny. However, if you already own either game, you’re not going to find much here to justify the price.

Heavy decisions and fun action, but a poor end to an overall enjoyable season.

With its gorgeous graphics, finely crafted gameplay, and plenty of content, Spec II is definitely a winner for fans of racing simulations.

Add to this one touch dekes, black eyes after losing fights, sticks getting tangled up with arms and skates, a wonderful bogun soundtrack that includes bands like Airbourne and Wolfmother, and you get a deep, great looking, and surprisingly accessible sports game.

Fable III is a massive game targeted directly at those who like their open worlds anchored by a plot which they can get into without getting swallowed.

Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc may have the occasional flaw, but its utterly engrossing murder mystery plot, excellent characterisation, and clever use of age-old game mechanics make it a game that nobody should miss.

With heaps of charm and innovation, you’ll be hard-pressed to resist the pull of Gravity Rush 2.

Skylanders Giants delivers what would easily have been the best toy/game of my childhood and I can foresee this being the game that gets a lot of young kids into the medium. The fact that it looks and sounds great and has amazing quality toys to go along with it only sweetens the deal.

This is by far the best free to play MMO out there at the moment. Its well polished, with good sound effects, well detailed tanks and terrain and regular updates and maps.

A great game, but one held back by some disappointing, avoidable flaws. The multiplayer mode is well intentioned, but poorly implemented, and I should never have my right to pause during singleplayer stripped from me. Then there’s the story, if you can call it that; a juvenile, “f*** the police” mess that is a good reminder that not every game needs a narrative.

Beat Drop is a superb puzzle game with loads of depth, excellent accessibility and more modes and options than you can shake a stick at.

A shotgun barrel of fun. There really is so much to do and so little time to do it. You'll hardly ever get bored of running around torturing zombies with all manners of sadistic, man-made equipment.

With its solid list of national teams, good selection of competitions and game modes, including the Champion's League, and simple arcade-style gameplay, PES 2012 offers a footballing experience that's accessible and enjoyable.

A game so good no changes were needed.

If you like old school RPGs, but never played the original release, buying Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen may be the best fifty dollars you’ll spend all year. If you bought the original, and all the downloadable missions, sorry people, prepared to get gouged.

Ultimately, serious though they are, the bugs won't stop me from playing. After the huge cliffhanger this episode ended on, I cannot wait for the next one to see how the series concludes. I said it in my last review and I'll say it again here; Telltale's The Walking Dead is one of 2012's best surprises.

When all is said and done, what you have here is a true SoulCalibur console experience in your pocket.

If you like the over-the-top, extreme nature of this series (and it's not for everyone; the pocket-protector variant of the fighting fan will probably not like it as much as the rest of us), you are going to love every ultra intense moment.

The menu system for character management and upgrades is particularly well done, albeit in a style that is at odds with the rest of the game (more modern in styling).

LEGO City is a great game - but I do wonder just how many limitations the hardware had on the final product. Perhaps it has nothing to do with the Wii U, but for Traveller's Tales to omit multiplayer altogether? That seems an unlikely choice, considering their previous work.

This is a must buy for anyone interested in fantasy RPGs.

Snoopy Flying Ace has leapfrogged to the top of the downloadable pile and easily makes the shortlist of the best games on XBLA. Highly recommended.

If you've played last year's version, the new decks make it exciting enough to warrant the purchase, and if you have generally held off but enjoy Magic: The Gathering, it's a no brainer.

Rocksmith tries to walk that fine line between a game and an educational tool, and sadly it gets confused a lot of the time. It has evolved the music rhythm genre of gaming, which is brilliant, but it has forgotten how much fun rocking out with your six-string should be.

The benchmark-setting graphics aren’t the only impressive aspect of the game, either. It’s also one of those ultra-rare titles that, once I finished it, I immediately wanted to jump back in and play again.

At this point, I’m definitely going to keep playing for a little longer with my friends, and see if the free Incursion mission coming out in April helps improve the longevity of the end-game. However, it isn’t looking too likely that The Division is going to take over as my next “gaming addiction” the way I’m sure Ubisoft were hoping it would.

There really is something here for everyone. This is essentially a much more polished version of the game released on the PlayStation 2 a few years ago, and a good step up for those that still love Mario Tennis.

This solid football game offers hours of enjoyment, both via single and multiplayer, and has enough improvements to keep FIFA ’08 fans happy. However, the limited number of teams and the pure European focus may put off some of the more casual players.

But hey, it's Monopoly. It's a classic, and the iPad version still retains that vibe.

I wouldn't say you're ready to start your own label with a PSP and a pocket full of dreams or anything, but certainly your start in the world of commercial hip-hop and electronic music making has never had a more accessible leg up, or been so much fun.

In conclusion, if you are picking it up for the first time, this is obviously the version to get. This is an improvement in so many ways - including navigation of Arland, swappable costumes, and everything you can harvest from such as wells, are highlighted.

It brings a sense of passion and build-up to a football match which EA Sports haven’t captured as of late.

An interesting fresh start for The Walking Dead, but it all feels a bit too familiar.

If you’re able to motivate yourself to exercise you can do no wrong in getting Wii Fit. Granted it’s not for everyone, but the ones it is for will be able to take a lot away from it.

For $18.95 [NZ], it’s a decent purchase for hardcore fans of platform puzzlers. But the fairly short lived gameplay and ruthless difficulty curve might deter anyone else. Despite being called a puzzle game - Stealth, Inc relies more on quick reflexes and thumb agility, than problem solving and mental dexterity.

One of it’s most enjoyable episodes, with some of the best action and choices to date.

Despite its problems, Gravity Rush Remastered is a refreshing change of pace, and a thoroughly enjoyable game to play. While not an improvement per se of the PS Vita game besides the graphics, it does bring Kat to the larger PS4 audience, and will undoubtedly win a few hearts. Especially with the less than average price for a PS4 game.

Total War: Attila is as painstakingly difficult as it is rewarding.

SoW is a great game, until it isn’t. And it’s such a shame, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think you’d all enjoy it. If you want an open world fantasy adventure, excellent and enjoyable combat, personal grudges with a variety of excellent uruk friends, and like spidery women, angst, and Gollum cameos, play it. But, like Brad Pitt, you don’t want what’s in the box.

If you’ve got a next-gen console and you’re into racing simulators, it’s your only choice - and it’s far from a bad one. Just don’t expect it to be the “next step” or any kind of evolution of the genre.

One of the best Skylanders games to date thanks to the deep character creation tool.

Hitman: Absolution falls short of the mark because it's trying too hard to be something it isn't. Hopefully next time IO Interactive lets Agent 47 get back to what he does best. And that's not saving damsels in distress, running from the cops, or fighting "sexy nuns". Instead, it's killing people - cleanly, quietly, and without any unnecessary fuss.

It’s not going to be the best first person shooter you’ll play, but it’ll be one you remember once it’s over.

So if you like boxing games in general and enjoy iPhone games that you can use to kill some time on the bus with, then you really cannot go too wrong with Fight Night Champion.

Yakuza 3 has more depth to it than the Titanic and although this strange combination of gameplay elements might deter a lot gamers, you just can't help but admire it at the same time.

The graphics, although minus a few polygons in comparison to its bigger console sibling, are almost identical, paying careful attention to both detail and fluid animations. But more importantly the gameplay feels right at home for FIFA fans.

If you're at all interested in sports, have a Wii and have mates over for multiplayer sessions (which is where NBA Jam truly shines) you just have to get this. Highly recommended - bring on Cricket Jam or Rugby League Jam!

While the Wiimote changes may irritate some, what I do like is that the game designers are still exploring the medium, still trying to work out interesting methods to give players more ways to interact with the environment. And it is this willingness to break the mold, to not stick with the formula, that makes Other M such an interesting addition to the Metroid family.

If puzzle and sim games spin your wheels, you'll get plenty of mileage out of this one.

Even if you never go online, SFxT is a fantastic fighter and one that adds enough to a familiar formula to be well worth the investment - even if you have all of the other versions of Street Fighter. And at the end of the day, that's what really matters. If you like portable pugilism, it's a must-own.

With so many vehicle parts, places to go and people to see, Nuts & Bolts is going to be a game you keep going back to. Just getting to the end will require hours of commitment, but, it’s not like you need an excuse, right? Apart from a confusing premise (the story is a little bit weak) and the small text, this game is a massive success.

Unsettling, confronting, and thought-provoking.

Among all the worlds shooters, action adventures and fantasy RPGs, that a game like Scribblenauts should come and capture the imaginations of gamers and game journalists all over the world is truly delightful.

There’s an underlying trend of thought in our culture which disregards teenage turmoil, romance, and general experience as an emotional exception that’ll give way to reason and stability once it’s over. I don’t find that particularly helpful, and neither does Life is Strange. The stereotypes of delinquency the game brands Chloe with are only there to be circumvented by how authentic the experiences are that spawned such behaviour. Chloe’s story is relatable because it is simply human, and not simply another teenage story with a set of pre-defined adolescent tropes in a self-contained genre.

No matter which way your see it - 2D or 3D - Dead or Alive is one of the best titles on 3DS and, potentially, the best handheld fighting game ever.

EA have proven with Most Wanted that the Vita is capable of much more than the likes of Call of Duty: Declassified or even Assassin's Creed III: Liberation, and Most Wanted should be at the top of your want-list for Vita as a result.

It's fun to play, looks great, has plenty of content, only costs 400 points and that money goes to charity - if you're at all interested in Lumines, Tetris, electronica or having a good time, it would be churlish not to plunk down the cash.

This game will certainly appeal to true puzzle fans. It is a refreshing change of pace for others and EchoChrome fits perfectly on the PSP platform. However, it is definitely not recommended for late night playing as these addictive and brain-taxing puzzles will keep you up for hours.

If, however, you're like me and have a whole bunch of friends who grew up with Soul Calibur, you're going to be spending all your time in Versus mode.

Those that sold their originals, or are just wanting to play some of the games on here will get great value out of the disk.

Just what the doctor ordered. It's fun, clever, charming, action-packed, replayable, and, above all, loyal to DC Comics and the LEGO videogame universe. I totally dig games intended for both young hands and old minds alike and once again, Traveller's Tales have delivered.

Rarely a dull moment means you always have something to do, and the games can be quick and decisive, or hard won - depending on the skill of your opponents.

Fundamentally a good game, but don't expect anything different from what you are used to.

If you are weighing up the decision on whether you should buy Pokkén Tournament DX, it’s an easy one to make. Despite its flaws, it’s a fantastic fighting game that is easy to pick up, making it appealing to the casual and hardcore audience alike. Fans of Pokémon would be crazy to overlook it, and fighting game fans should find something unique here.

Wipeout 2048 isn't just one of the best launch games (an achievement in itself, as the standard is very high), it's also one of the best games in an excellent series.

It's a pretty niche game, for sure, but if you like the sound of something action-y and strategy-y, you should definitely check it out - even if you've never heard of tower defense.

Overall, Prey is a polished game that does a lot of good storytelling, despite not having a particularly original plot. Prepare for a lot of notes and emails, and a lot of cups attacking you. It also doesn’t try to be anything it's not, but its beautiful music and audio creates an amazing atmosphere.

As it stands right now, Payday 2, while it won’t be for everyone, is a lot of fun. Although the stealth mechanics are basic, there’s enough strategic depth and teamwork required so that stealthing missions can be challenging, and extremely satisfying when successful.

Horror, and actual consequences makes for an enthralling game let down only by the slow beginning.

But as far as exercise programs go, I've never seen anything as complete yet varied as Sports Active 2.

The game looks better than ever on the PC and plays like a dream too. However if you already have the game you wont find anything totally new other than the odd side-mission.

It is a very, very good series of puzzles. And, (I suppose we can't avoid the elephant in the room any longer) if you've been looking for the smaller, cheaper, nephew to Professor Portal, without the co-op play, the polished presentation, or the laughs, Quantum Conundrum is it.

The most polished, versatile platformer I've had the joy of playing.

It's challenging the original idea of what Ghost Recon is, providing a new experience, and a new way to tell the tale of a new Ghost team. It works well, with a lengthy campaign and a very deep multiplayer experience. The gameplay is tight and the title's only flaws are some AI quirks and its quality control ,with frame rate drops, bugs in animation, and scripted sequences which can let it down at times.

While the talented (and surprisingly small) team of developers at Giant Sparrow deserve immense credit for their efforts here, I think Sony also deserve a pat on the back for publishing unique art-house titles like this.

Because of the unusual gameplay characteristics, Dissidia is not a pick up and play game. You really have to invest yourself into the experience to really get anything out of it. Once you do though, the bite sized battles are a great way to pass five minutes.

For the most part Split/Second: Velocity hits the mark like a cargo ship through your windscreen. It’s extreme fun and effortless to get into, like the best weekend party games should be, but may struggle over the longer term.

A shotgun barrel of fun. There really is so much to do and so little time to do it. You'll hardly ever get bored of running around torturing zombies with all manners of sadistic, man-made equipment.

Bewitching.

A game that’s more terrifying when there’s nothing happening.

In the end, it's hard to justify a purchase if you already own the original Marvel vs. Capcom 3, as there just isn't enough new content for the $89.99 launch price. However, those who didn't pick up Marvel vs. Capcom 3 will find this a great fast-paced fighter with a challenging boss and familiar Capcom and Marvel characters beating all shades of red out of each other.

Fat Princess, despite the dodgy premise, is heaps of fun. It’s old-school gameplay with a fresh new look.

It's big, dumb fun, presented in a package that might be derivative, but at least has a lot of polish. The story is forgettable, and the jumping is entertaining.

The story flows too, as Faith unravels her mystery. Between the chapters, which are all go, are artfully animated cut-scenes, which explain what’s going on.