Despite complaints, there's so little in Donkey Kong Bananza that is an actual concern. This is a majestic, grandiose adventure epic and one of the best platformers ever made. It redefines expectations while celebrating classic tropes of the genre. While 20 years is a heck of a long time to wait for a new Donkey Kong game, I would say the test of patience was worth it. Donkey Kong Bananza is a modern masterpiece and the first must-own title for the Nintendo Switch 2.

It's the kind of indie gem that deserves a major audience. An addictive hybrid that moves beyond mere imitation to something that is entirely its own thing. I've loved every minute that I've spent with it, and I can't wait to return for more.

Heartwarming and immensely charming, Pokémon Pokopia is one of the best Pokémon games in years, and a loving celebration of friendship that will delight generations of fans.

Death Stranding 2 is the encapsulation of Hideo Kojima's ambition to marry films and games into one seamless experience. For the first time, it's not him emulating the cinema he adores. Instead, it's Kojima directing a vast, emotionally charged epic that others will imitate in years to come. It is a masterpiece of storytelling and game design. A peerless exploration of grief, found family, and all that we leave behind.

Heavy on nostalgia and fan service with the occasional violent delight thrown in, Requiem is a mostly fun Resident Evil title that still feels like a step down from its predecessor.

I love this game. I think it's a masterpiece in more ways than one. It can still have massive faults to its name and come away as one of the best, most grand titles in the RPG space that you can think of. In the years to come, I think many will claim it as their favorite experience on any platform. Even more will point to it as the starting point for their love of this genre. Like its characters, it's a complicated and conflicted experience, but also human and multifaceted in a way that most others never achieve. It is one of the best games of the year, and it's only February.

While the asking price is high, these masterful platformers have never looked or played this good, and that alone is worth the cost.

A perfect marriage between difficult and accessible, Saros is a brilliantly designed and majestic sci-fi nightmare that is as compelling as it is challenging.

While the gameplay itself is superficial, Dispatch is a surprisingly funny and poignant debut that shows great potential.

A superb addition to the franchise, Ragebound is both a fantastic throwback and a great entry point to the series for newcomers.

If you're a fan of big robots, melodrama, and love exploration, Xenoblade Chronicles X should be right up your alley. It's a wonderful time capsule from a console that barely got its due, and a terrific example of how well some of these almost forgotten games have stood the test of time.

Better yet, Mario Kart is a title that will only expand over the years. New tracks will arrive in DLC form, and new racers will grace the screen sooner than later. Here's hoping down the line they'll be gathered into an ultimate game cartridge as well, so that Nintendo can continue with its excellent output of first party titles on physical media.

Ghost of Yotei is a generational masterpiece, encapsulating everything great about the open world adventure genre. This is a beautifully written and directed saga that stands tall alongside its influences without ever sacrificing the joy of gameplay and discovery at the hands of spectacle. It is one of the best games on PlayStation this generation.

It's hard to recommend Arc Raiders to anyone but the fiercely devoted. It is burning bright now, but there's so little to differentiate it from the competition that anything can and most likely will topple it from that throne. If it had dared to think outside of the limitations of the extraction shooter genre, it could have come upon something really special...Now, it's just a good extraction shooter, and what a shame that is.

Intricate, immense, and incredible. Twisted Reflection is the biggest and most immersive expansion of the iconic franchise so far.

Despite these issues, which are notable, I would recommend Cairn to almost everyone. Even as a thought experiment. It's the kind of passionately designed indie game that deserves attention, even or especially when it gets in its own way. In the moments where it focuses on the pure experience of climbing, it is an atmospheric masterwork. Visually, it is one of the pretties games released this year. I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't grab a bunch of awards on art design alone.

One of the most fascinating and intricately designed city-building games ever made, Timberborn is a charming and joyous experience that is as rewarding as it is challenging.

An innovative and bold genre cocktail that is packed with incredible set pieces and gameplay-first joy, Pragmata is Capcom at its finest.

What begins as a Disco Elysium imitation quickly grows into an exciting and compelling RPG experience that stands firmly on its own.

With satisfying combat, fun exploration, and some of the finest accessibility options out there, Doom: The Dark Ages is an epic heavy metal odyssey that proves the iconic franchise is still king of the genre.

Smartly designed, impeccably produced, and tremendously enjoyable, Anno 117 is one of the best games in its genre this year.

At its price point, Ender Magnolia is a terrific game. It won’t reinvent the genre, but that’s hardly a knock at it. Sometimes it’s enough to just be one of the best.

Exquisitely designed with astonishingly deep gameplay mechanics, Farthest Frontier is the second masterpiece in the simulator genre this year that will impress fans for years to come.

A comprehensive and delightful platforming adventure that is as charming as it is accessible.

Winter's Warmth is a quintessential addition to the library of any Moomin fan, and a wonderful introduction to new ones.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is as addictive as ever and the new quality of life improvements make the return to its quaint charms that much more alluring.

Beautifully realized and smartly updated, Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is the best way to experience the iconic series for the first time.

MIO: Memories in Orbit is a masterpiece. It is one of the most beautiful games ever made and already a strong contender for one of the best games of the year.