Even though more than two decades have passed, it seems that nothing has changed for the mind behind the pink puffball, Masahiro Sakurai. Kirby Air Riders is, for the most part, the original game made again, with more flavor and style that only the Nintendo Switch 2 can deliver. But to me, it feels like this mix is missing a bit of substance.

2025 was already an incredible year for video game fans, and Dispatch manages to close out this great year for games with an extremely sensitive, well-constructed story, showcasing the power of narrative-focused adventures and how they can be as potent an art form as a AAA title or, in the case of Dispatch, a series or film production.

There is not a world in which Silksong would reach its expectations. After 7 years of waiting, the game is still an amazing adventure, but it's hard to not think that some moments are overthought. Team Cherry have a hard time figuring out what's frustrating and what's challengingly engaging.

The Outer Worlds 2 delivers exactly what players want: good combat, a compelling story, fun quests, and an RPG system that truly makes you feel like it's worth investing your time in. And that's something few Western RPG companies can achieve in their players these days. And with The Outer Worlds 2, Obsidian lets us dream of a bright future for the studio, as long as Microsoft lets them keep working this way.

Tales of Xillia stands out from other RPGs of its generation. Being able to enjoy this PS3 gem now on the PS5 (and other platforms) is an adventure no one wants to miss.

As its title already implies, Double Dragon Revive brings back one of the most influential beat'em ups of all time. Combat system is now modernized, bringing more of a challenge to the player. Platform sections, however, are quite inconsistent and can be frustrating.

This is the evolution of the Ninja Gaiden franchise. Platinum's frenetic style fits surprisingly well with the difficulty that we've come to expect from Team Ninja. It's not a perfect game, with the main issues being the small roster of enemies and the simplified plot, but it's still very fun and respectful of its origins.

A beautiful and stunning journey about a lighthouse and a seabird full of fun puzzles and an atmospheric adventure that can relax any player who might need a little break from other titles.

Puzzles could've been harder, and the game helps the player more than necessary. Still, Little Nightmares 3 is a solid experience, honoring the creepy and oppressive atmosphere that was cultivated in the first two games, making old fans feel at home in this new story.

We need more heartful games like this one, that makes us smile with each new character and leaves us emotional while the plot is unveiled. Digimon goes further than generation and languages. It's a franchise that has always been about personal and collective growth, and the importance of friends and bonds. Time Stranger collects all of these elements and repackages them beautifully.

The new FC hits the essential marks: gameplay is more polished and fun than ever. Still, a step up in game modes and presentation as a whole is needed for the franchise to reach the grandiosity it once had. EA is probably on the right track, but there are a few steps left to bring the series back to the top.

If Sucker Punch's mission was to build a portal to 1603 and paint it with the tones of great Japanese artists — from the feudal era to the last century in pop culture —, Ghost of Yotei definitely delivers. Is it enough to make it a great game? That will depend on the players.

In an industry where remasters are just a way of using nostalgia to make more money, The Ivalice Chronicles goes beyond the standard “make it HD” pattern and bring great improvements to the original game.

The new Silent Hill is extremely smart while using horror, blood and guts to tell a story about some of the most trivial problems we all go through during our teenage years. There are a few sequences that can feel a bit too action-based, but it's still a great Survival Horror in its essence.

The Beast succeeds in bringing back old mechanics of the franchise while brings some new elements to the table. Focusing in combat, the game is a natural evolution of Kyle Crane, that is as charismatic as ever.

Kart games are about having fun, be it exploding your friends with itens, or nailing incredible drifts. At the end of the day, the few bumps in CrossWorlds are negligible. When I think about the game, I always remember the amazing tracks, the characters, a pulsating soundtrack — and, of course, the absolute speed.

The saddest thing about Lost Soul Aside is not the final product as a game, but the individual elements that show how the game could have been better with more focus and polish. Making games is tough, and after ten years of wait, this one proves it.

There's a few missed strokes to be found in Art of Vengeance if you're looking really close, but Lizardcube still paints an amazing canvas. Using a smart segmentation and exploring its features to shed light above the beautiful graphics, the game sits beside Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound as another great ninja-themed side-scroller released in 2025.

As a faithful remake of a classic PS2 action game, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is proof that Metal Gear Solid 3 can, indeed, survive one of popular culture's most relentless challenges: the test of time.

Wildgate brings some new ideas, but still feels like a game that has already been released. The mixture brought out for this FPS leaves a strange taste in your mouth — a very familiar one, but that has something off with it.

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is as crisp as it gets. The game combines precision and timing to build the perfect balance: the challenges are hard enough to get in your nerves, but you still find yourself repeating them over and over again, always sure that the next try will be the one.

Star Overdrive is a simple and fun adventure that mixes well-known elements with its own spices. It's fun, but it still reminds you of a lot of other games — and that can be quite tiring.

Great performances all around in a game that doesn't try to be perfect. Dead Take is about the imperfections in art, acting and the movie industry, so it's fitting that there's a few hiccups here and there. Things may not make sense and you’ll probably have a lot of questions when the credits start rolling, but the vibes are immaculate, and that's what matters.

Of course, Yuzu Koshiro's soundtrack is stellar and perfectly designed for this challenging, nostalgic game. Still, Earthion could use a few modern features: measuring your progress with passwords that you have to write down is definitely a downside. Because of that, the game still delivers a genuine arcade experience — if you're looking to relive that period, you should try this one.

Shadow Labyrinth shines among passion projects — not because it's a great Metroidvania, or being a great Pac-Man game, but its weirdness is enough to confirm that the old Pac-Man formula still works. Unfortunately, this great concept is stuck inside an unremarkable game, that still has a few good moments.

Wuchang may not become a pillar to the genre, but the boss fights, combat system, soundtrack and the great usage of Chinese mythology show the potential of a debuting studio.

For a Brazilian journalist, it’s hard to criticize Brazilian games, but Gaúcho really misses the mark on the technical side, with an inexcusable amount of bugs. The game’s premise is great, and there’s definitely a good game under all the errors, but they need to be corrected as urgently as possible.

With a few hiccups, Donkey Kong Bananza succeeds in bringing back the character to the spotlight. The game’s ambition charges its price with technical difficulties, but still checks all the boxes and shows that there’s still space to subvert the most essential genre in gaming – and it makes all sense that this new approach comes from Nintendo.