Octopath Traveler 0 is a gritty, surprisingly grounded journey through a complex and interesting fantasy world, with stunning visuals and complex combat, it's a masterclass in solid JRPG execution

Demonschool is a great turn-based tactical game with puzzling combat, dazzling aesthetics, and engaging writing. It can get a bit samey in places, especially in the early game, but for the most part, it’s a delightful demon-slaying adventure that’s sure to be a hit for fans of games such as Fire Emblem, Advance Wars, and other strategy delights.

Kirby Air Riders is a visually stunning whirlwind of a game, filled with tons to do - if you like meticulously crafting vehicle builds and racing at breakneck speeds. It’s confusing for newcomers and difficult to look at, at times, but it’s sure to bring some people a ton of joy.

Deadpool VR’s comedic plot, with Neil Patrick Harris’ hilarious take on Wade Wilson, is second only to the exciting combat and engaging narrative. While there are a few performance hiccups, it’s clear that Deadpool VR is an essential game for virtual reality players, especially fans of the insult-slinging anti-hero.

Sonic Rumble offers some chaotic fun in a first for the series, featuring matches with 32 players. It has an abundance of characters for you to unlock and features some of the iconic gameplay you know and love from the franchise, though the game does get repetitive rather quickly.

In its current state, Football Manager 26 Touch is difficult to play, as I experienced countless UI issues and more crashes than you’d expect from an Apple Arcade launch. The improved visuals are a great touch, but this game’s bread and butter is how well its menus work, and at the time of writing, I can’t help but feel disappointed.

Once Upon a Katamari is a triumphant return for the beloved series, building on everything that makes Katamari Damacy great and making it accessible to a new audience at the same time

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is a beautiful and modernized overhaul of two classic JRPGs that are essential for any fantasy fan’s Nintendo Switch 2 library. It combines stunning graphics with engaging gameplay and storytelling for the complete portable package.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment takes us back in time to ancient Hyrule, following the events of the Imprisoning War. Smashing through hordes of enemies as Rauru, Zelda, and a colorful cast of characters is smooth and really therapeutic, while also educational as we learn what happened so many centuries ago.

ARC Raiders doubles down that Embark Studios is force of nature in the shooter space. It runs great on handheld PCs and is ideal for newcomers and veterans alike. With best-in-class sound design, gripping firefights, and a brilliant social system to explore, no match is the same within the Rust Belt.

Two Point Museum is easily one of my favorite games of the year, taking an already fantastic foundation and rocketing it to new heights. With hundreds of hours of play and a ridiculous level of attention to detail, it’s a must-play for all fans of simulation and city builder games. However, occasional performance dips and the lack of touchscreen and mouse controls knock the Nintendo Switch 2 version back a step.

PowerWash Simulator 2 provides more of what we love with plenty of levels, new equipment, and a lot more soap to go around. While playing on handheld can take some getting used to, performance remains steady, and you can sud and spray to your hearts content no matter where you are. If you like relaxing games, this is for you.

Persona 3 Reload is a wonder on Nintendo Switch 2, which uses the classic Persona formula of sending you - a school child - on a hero’s journey surrounded by friends. Embark on a remake of an epic tale that feels familiar, but sparkles with a new voice cast, soundtrack, and graphics.

This all-time classic has great gameplay, looks good, and runs decently on mobile - but the controls aren’t always the easiest thing to navigate on a tiny iPhone like mine. I recommend that you consider using an iPad.

Skyrim’s innovative open-world RPG boasts incredible worldbuilding, music, graphics, and gameplay that was ahead of its time. It still holds up today, despite a buggy experience.

Little Nightmares 3’s multiplayer aspect feels like a natural progression for the series, and it’s genuinely fun to play with another person, though the AI leaves a little to be desired. The world itself is eerie and atmospheric, while the puzzles are exactly what you’d expect from LN, albeit a bit repetitive.

No Man’s Sky is the definitive example of a comeback. What was once a hollow experience is now a dense RPG that encourages you to play your way without punishing you for it. With excellent multiplayer and waves of free content to dig into, No Man’s Sky is the only space RPG you need to play right now.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels like something completely different from the long-running series, in good ways and bad. While it’s by no means the grand adventure of Legends: Arceus, the real-time battles can be wildly engaging, the pacing and story are spot-on, and Lumiose City looks fantastic. If you’re looking for a good time, you’ve got it here.

Dying Light: The Beast strips back its setting and scale to deliver a focused story, while enhancing Techland's undead slaying. What really makes it worth playing is The Beast's brilliant co-op experience, which is equally hilarious as it is horrifying. Alongside sturdy handheld PC performance, The Beast is worth giving this franchise another chance if Stay Human left you in the cold.

Inmost is a short yet powerful adventure that tackles difficult themes in a delicate manner, through a haunting story about pain and loss. The pixelated graphics lend themselves to an unsettling atmosphere, while the sound design complements the gameplay and surroundings quite nicely.

Fans of Sonic and racing games should be excited about this game, but assume you’ll face some underwhelm at various points, and its price tag is much too steep.

EA Sports FC 26 on Switch 2 is a fantastic soccer simulator that finally offers Nintendo users all the bells and whistles other consoles are getting, with the small exception of 60 FPS gameplay. New additions to career mode and distinct styles of play make the core game the best it's been in years, but if you're purely in it for Ultimate Team, get ready to wrestle with microtransactions for another year.

With a true-to-life Tokyo and a vibrant, color-saturated Digital World full of life to explore, this is the Digimon game I’ve desperately wanted for the last ten years, and it definitely doesn’t disappoint. Unless my perfect game shadow drops soon, Digimon Story: Time Stranger is shaping up to be my GOTY for 2025.

Cronos: The New Dawn is an excellent addition to the survival horror genre, featuring an intriguing story that continues to mystify even as you get further in. The enemy design is good, and the combat is sure to please fans of Dead Space.

Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles has some fun yet immensely difficult strategy combat, a gorgeous art style, and an intriguing story. I would recommend the game to anyone looking for a challenge; however, if you’re only interested due to it having Final Fantasy in its name, this probably isn’t the game for you.

Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion struggles under the weight of ambition, while also needlessly playing to as many people as possible. It all blends together in a painfully dull experience that feels as murky as it looks. While some mech action and unique mechanics make it at least interesting, it’s a mediocre time that I would only recommend to die-hard fans or those who wait for a deep sale.

Destiny: Rising offers the quintessential Destiny experience that you know and love, but with a couple of changes that leave me asking questions. The gacha system feels a bit out of place in this world, but at least the characters are fun to use, and the microtransactions aren’t too intrusive.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World adds even more style and substance to an already fantastic 3D platformer, utilizing the Switch 2’s enhanced graphics and frame rates to immerse you in whimsical, playful environments and stories.