As I said, each game included here is a lot of fun in its own right—if you just want to jam some good, classic shmups, or maybe revisit an old arcade favourite, you’re in good hands here. But as is often the case with a collection like this, the story that unfolds when you have a whole series presented side-by-side in one package can be a fascinating one. With Ray’z Arcade Chronology, that story is the way Taito took a nifty concept—RayForce’s two-layer combat—and turned it into a particularly creative, experimental approach to the shift to 3D graphics.

While Labyrinth of Zangetsu does a lot with a little, it can suffer from its limited scope at times, too. It’s a relatively brief outing, as dungeon crawlers go, which isn’t inherently a bad thing—as a time-poor parent, I appreciate the brevity—but it also means that the game struggles to push its ideas to their full potential. Even with a variety of classes and the option to multiclass, their rudimentary designs can limit options for creative character and party builds. Labyrinth designs are consistently great, but it still feels like there’s untapped potential in the various gimmicks and traps that the game introduces.

Despite its numerous towering accomplishments, chief amongst them an atmospheric, multilayered open world with staggering environment variety and expertly calculated level design that encourages its many thrills, Tears of the Kingdom’s real strength lies not in what it achieves but in what it reveals itself to be: a reflection of the player’s intuition and creative spirit. As a result, the experience shines not on its lonesome but with the player in tow, their shared Legend destined to be remembered as one of gaming’s very best.

Like I said at the start, I can’t tell you how well (or not) the Resident Evil 4 remake compares to the iconic original—plenty of people far more qualified than me have already done that. But as someone getting their first taste of Leon’s encounter with Los Illuminados in this latest release, Resident Evil 4 hits every mark: a finely-tuned balance between action and survival horror, both tense and exciting, with an intriguing story and a degree of craftsmanship that few other third-person shooters can match.

The Switch version of Super Meat Boy Forever was an underappreciated gem, in part because of people writing it off for “feeling like a mobile game”. That simplicity was always one of its strengths, though, and the jump to mobile makes that clearer than ever.

Those technical troubles aside, 9 Years of Shadows is a marvelous adventure. It’s a more intimate take on the metroidvania formula, but what it lacks in scale it more than makes up for in clever design and synergy between its moving parts. The sheer beauty of the game and the world it asks you to explore don’t hurt, either.

The most impressive thing about Terra Nil is how it manages to effortlessly balance all these different goals. It’s both a relaxing city-unbuilder and a brain-bending strategy puzzler, because the underlying mechanics lend themselves to both styles of play. It’s a satisfying, extremely enjoyable game to just sit down and play, but also a powerful environmental message—and rather than being at odds with each other, those aspects feed off each other, build upon each other, and the whole game benefits. Sometimes I want to play a game with a statement to make and a cause to uphold; sometimes I want to challenge myself; sometimes I want to just turn my brain off and relax. Terra Nil is the rare game that lets me do all of the above at once.

Gal Guardians: Demon Purge is a balancing act: between modern and retro game design, between loving homage and forging its own identity, between “Classicvania” and “Metroidvania”. It walks those tightropes admirably, and the result is a game that anyone with a fondness for Castlevania—whichever era it may be—should check out.

All this in service of a tale that effortlessly juggles lighthearted humour with careful traversal of serious, difficult themes like domestic violence, while building to an especially emotional conclusion. A Space for the Unbound is an enchanting, sometimes confronting dive into a slice of Indonesian history, and a journey will worth taking.

Here’s yet another farming RPG, but one that turns the familiar setup in a philosophical, existential direction—and dares to really, really go places with it. What at first looks like another descendant of Harvest Moon ends up bearing a closer resemblance, thematically and tonally, to NieR Automata. That’s not a comparison that’s easy to live up to, but Harvestella manages to leave its mark.

Much like its iconic protagonist, Bayonetta 3 is remarkably agile. By deftly managing its glorious combat, incredible set pieces and surprisingly meaningful story beats, PlatinumGames has delivered a truly spectacular experience and one of the finest action games in years.

If Sony decided that this will be the final entry for the PS4 platform, I would be more than fine with this decision. Similar to Avengers: Endgame being the final tip of the hat to the original generation of MCU characters, this is a fitting tribute to one of the greatest PlayStation generations of all time, and a suitable send-off.

Voiced dialogue aside, Tactics Ogre: Reborn is easily the definitive version of a classic game that’s been through a few very different iterations. Instead of stopping at a graphical overhaul and some quality-of-life features, it reimagines a lot of the game’s core systems in a way that strikes a fine balance between the thematically-fitting brutality of the original and the depth and tactical freedom of the PSP remake. There’s no better way to revisit the legacy of Tactics Ogre than this.

Revisiting the franchise; the characters, the story-telling, the puzzles, and the humour, filled me with child-like glee upon returning to one of my favourite video game franchises of all time. However, the unexpected turn in the final hour, reflecting on nostalgia and appreciating the journey, not the destination, allowed me to really appreciate Return to Monkey Island growing up with me. In this sense, it allowed me to retroactively appreciate the precursor games more, and the third instalment elevated the franchise to quite possibly my all-time favourite franchise. For first time fans, enjoy the swash-buckling adventure for what it is: a game filled with puzzles, humour, and most of all, fun. For longtime fans, I really hope you will enjoy the walk down memory lane, but find the game growing up as we all have.

If you’re after an authentic skate sim and don’t mind some rough edges, Session: Skate Sim absolutely nails it. No other game has captured the feel of skateboarding quite like this, and the steep learning curve baked into the unique control scheme—frustrating as it can be at times—only helps sell that idea. Because, hey, skating is hard, but the excitement that comes with it makes all the falls worthwhile, and that’s what Session gets spot on.

Despite its network issues and generational design flaws, every part of playing Splatoon 3 is a joy. Much like the tired, exterior brickwork of an old home, sometimes all it needs Is a fresh coat of paint to help you realise how much you love the foundation.

At its heart, Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival is just more Taiko—the foundational rhythm game hasn’t changed a whole lot since Drum ‘n’ Fun. But that’s only because it doesn’t need to: the taiko drumming core, and the only thing a new entry really needs is new songs to play with. That’s what Rhythm Festival delivers, with a strong base tracklist and huge additional selection with the Taiko Drum Pass. Fun minigames help round out the package, but it’s that rock solid rhythm foundation and endless charm that make Rhythm Festival a must for music game fans.

As the farming life sim genre continues to flourish, it becomes harder and harder for such games to stand out—but Wylde Flowers manages to do so, and does it brilliantly. Magic puts a clever twist on farming to bring fun new layers to the familiar, and the heartfelt story of acceptance and finding a place to call home to ties everything together beautifully. Wylde Flowers is an utter delight.

A game that is, in so many ways, immediately familiar, yet also feels fresh and original. The mash-up of farm life sim and creature collecting is a fun one in its own right, but in Ooblets, it’s also the foundation for something else: a rather eccentric take on cottagecore whimsy and wholesome vibes, twee and irreverent in equal measure. That won’t be for everyone, but if you can appreciate the steps its dancing, this is a delightful game.

Individually, all these pieces are fantastic: the Warriors action is as exciting as ever, the tactical elements are satisfying and cleverly designed, the story is engrossing, and the characters are as delightful and compelling as ever. But what really sets Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes apart is how expertly it weaves them all together; a sublime blend of action, strategy, political drama, and character work that all work effortlessly in tandem. A chance to spend a few more dozen hours with Edelgard and the rest was always going to be welcome, but Three Hopes took that idea and turned it into one of the best Warriors games yet.

It’s all those carefully-balanced contradictions that make Cult of the Lamb such a compelling game. The quiet comfort of a life sim and the tension and excitement of a roguelike don’t just coexist, but enhance one another, with some brilliant gallows humour arising in the mashup of cute critters and black magic. A game about brainwashing fluffy little animals into a potentially deadly cult and going to war with demonic false prophets probably shouldn’t be quite so comforting and cozy, but here we are—Cult of the Lamb is simply, morbidly delightful.

More casual audiences may find less appeal, with little in the way of different game modes or novelty features—these are, after all, emulated ports of decades-old arcade games. But for the historically-curious who want a dive into a slice of Capcom’s more esoteric history, or competitive fighters wanting a more convenient way of playing some games that still hold up, Capcom Fighting Collection hits the mark. And even if nothing else, the first-ever home release of Red Earth makes it worth the price of admission.

As unlikely as it seemed for a game as niche as this (especially in the West), Reborn just proves how deserving Metal Max Xeno was of this sort of reimagining. Despite some flaws, the original game was an intriguing game with a lot of neat ideas, and this rebirth does a fine job of polishing up a diamond in the rough.

With how endlessly enjoyable OlliOlli World is, more of it was always going to be a good thing. Void Riders hits that mark brilliantly, with fresh new ideas that build on the genius level design of the base game, plenty of satisfying challenge, and oodles of new swag to customise your skater. If there’s any place that knows how to turn an alien invasion into a gnarly ride, it’s Radlandia.

As a sequel to Arcade Spirits, The New Challengers hits just the right spot: the same sense of humour, energy, and delightful characterisation, but without simply being more of the same. The esports plot takes it in some wonderful new directions, both narratively and thematically, and there’s a clever riff on fighting games in a fun little minigame. The meme-fuelled humour might be laid on a little too thick this time, but endearing, layered characters are still the heart and soul of the game.

At a glance, Rolling Gunner may not look like much, but there’s a recent it’s earned a reputation as one of the better bullet hells of recent memory. It’s a finely-crafted danmaku with a unique hook in its multi-directional rolling gun, and doesn’t shy away from pushing that idea to its limits. In the process, it winds up picking apart the whole “vert vs hori” discussion, showcasing—and subverting—the abstract little nuances that distinguish the two.

As a follow-up to Cotton Reboot and the first entirely new entry in a long time, Cotton Fantasy does everything it needs to. Play as Cotton, and you’ll get a new game that builds off Reboot’s revamped systems without reinventing the wheel—which, honestly, would have been enough. But Success and Studio Saizansen weren’t content with “enough”, and with a roster of such wildly different characters and their unique mechanics, Fantasy pushes the Cotton foundation in all sorts of new directions.

Approached purely as a strategy game, Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia may seem a little simplistic. But then, it’s not trying to be the next Europa Universalis, and what it lacks in systemic complexity it makes up for in the clever interplay between grand strategy and its tactical RPG side. Along with an intriguing world and captivating stories to discover, that combination makes for a fantastic experience.

Touken Ranbu Warriors manages to find its little niche. There’s abundant appeal in Touken Ranbu’s premise of swords turned into beautiful men, and that translates well into a 3D action game, despite the lack of any sword-collecting aspect. Somewhat simplified musou action is balanced out by the variety of missions and a quicker pace of play. But most of all, it’s the fascination with history that both Warriors and Touken Ranbu share, and the latter’s unique premise of protecting the past from those who would try to alter it, that lends this game a fresh perspective on a well-trod slice of history.

Lovingly crafted and unpretentious, Shadow Warrior 3 is equal parts hilarious and thrilling, thanks in no small part to its exceptionally charismatic protagonist.

Gibbon: Beyond the Trees is a game with a point to make, and it does so decisively. The gibbons’ majestic brachiation is a great foundation for an exhilarating momentum platformer that doubles as a potent insight into the threats faced by a critically endangered species.

At heart, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is classic Kirby, with the playful attitude and neat abilities that have long defined the series and a handful of new ideas thrown into the mix, with the transition to 3D adding a whole new world of possibilities that the level designers never fail to capture and explore to the fullest. It may have been a long time coming, but Kirby’s first real foray into three dimensions is an absolute delight.

Trek to Yomi is a game that lives up to its samurai film inspirations in a way that few others do. Endings that are a little too tidy and a few compromises in game design mean it doesn’t quite leave the impact it should, but the trade off is a game that’s a lot more playable and “fun” than it might otherwise have been—for better or worse. I’d still love to see how Leonard Menchiari’s original, presumably much less accommodating vision might have turned out, but Trek to Yomi is nonetheless an impressive game and a worthy homage to the samurai cinema classics.

Those are little nitpicks though, really. Lawn Mowing Simulator is a detailed replica of the real-life equivalent that lawncare aficionados will presumably get a kick out of, but like so many of these “job simulator” type games, there’s a much wider appeal than just that core audience. A good mow is something anyone can take pride in, and with its serene locations, attention to detail, and a meditative effect of cleanly cutting through swathes of long grass, Lawn Mower Simulator turns what can feel like a chore in real life into a wonderfully relaxing experience.

The new features are arguably a little superficial, but then again, just having Arise: A Simple Story on Switch—a platform it feels like it should have been on all along—is the major draw for this Definitive Edition. Arise is a beautiful story of life, love, and loss, delivered with care, nuance, and heart-rending potency. It’s a simple story, for sure, but that simplicity is part of what makes it so universal, and so powerful.

“A darkly comedic narrative game based on real world philosophical papers” is an apt description for Trolley Problem, Inc. but one that feels incomplete. Through its surreal story and black humour, it delivers a thoughtful, fascinating reflection on the moral philosophy underpinning the famous thought experiment. It won’t give you an answer—that was never the point—but it’s a captivating way of delving into those murky depths.

Tormented Souls is a true homage to the survival horror classics of the ‘90s. It’s sold as a modernisation of the genre, but really, it’s the opposite: a game that resists the allure of polish and convenience, and instead commits to the clunky, unwelcoming design—deliberately—that makes those classics tick. That approach won’t appeal to everyone, and the balance isn’t always spot on, but when it comes to dredging up some creepy atmosphere and instilling a constant sense of tension and unease in the player, Tormented Souls hits the mark.

Boasting a polished presentation, enjoyable gameplay that more closely resembles modern pro wrestling and two brilliantly executed modes in Showcase and MyRISE, WWE 2K22 is genuinely delightful and a defining chapter in its franchise’s legacy.

Z-Warp might be one of the more conventional shmups from a studio that usually leans into the experimental side, but I think it might be Panda Indie’s best yet. The mix of Cave-esque movement, creative bullet patterns, and the inventive twist on bombs makes for a satisfying bullet hell, drenched in the grimy atmosphere of its lo-fi pixel art and sci-fi horror theming. Forget what you know about clinging to your bomb stock—in Z-Warp, that button is your best friend.

When Chrono Cross first came out in ’99, it proved divisive for not simply following in the footsteps of Chrono Trigger. In retrsospect, it cuts closer to its predecessor than it got credit for back then, not necessarily in style or game design, but in the way it pushed the boundaries of the genre and the stories that videogames can tell. That it still feels unique and even subversive, more than 20 years on from its first release, is proof its timelessness. And for a large part of the world for whom The Radical Dreamers Edition will be the first chance to (officially) play Chrono Cross? Well, they’re in for one hell of a ride.

Even without some bells and whistles, Hatsune Miku Jigsaw Puzzle still stands out as one of the better jigsaw games on Switch. A careful choice of images that fit the jigsaw format well and the sheer beauty of the artwork involved make the puzzles a joy to solve, and that’s only heightened by pristine presentation and the cheerful energy that Miku and her friends always brings with them.

In some ways, though, the lack of those sorts of nice-to-haves almost helps with that whole nostalgic arcade vibe that Andro Dunos II so flawlessly nails. If I didn’t know better, I’d have guessed that it was actually a forgotten relic from the ’90s, and a particularly timeless one at that. For a two-person indie studio licensing a sequel to a 30-year-old game, that’s one hell of an achievement.

Even with some technical shortcomings, the charm of Rune Factory 5 is undeniable. It does what the series has always done best: combine the laid-back nature of a farm life sim with the sense of adventure you find in an action RPG, with a lighthearted touch and cheerful tone to tie it all together into something delightfully comforting. A few tweaks to the formula create a more cohesive whole out of those two sides, but at its core, this is the classic, tried-and-true Rune Factory.

“Final Fantasy meets Nioh” is in easy assumption to make about Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin, given appearances, and while that’s not exactly inaccurate, it’s an incomplete description. Team Ninja’s pedigree and inventive riffs on Final Fantasy staples makes for an action RPG that’s hard to put down, but what really sets Stranger of Paradise apart is the subversive way it approaches its source material. This isn’t your typical origin story; it’s a deconstruction of that first Final Fantasy and a reflection on the legacy it left in its wake—one that’s entertaining, often funny, sometimes biting, but above all, is willing to question its own canon in a way that you don’t often see from a series as high-profile as this.

It works because, as much as it’s a “bigger, better, more” approach to a sequel, Hidden Depths it never feels excessive or like it’s just about pushing bigger numbers for the sake of it—a trap that far too many sequels fall into. Everything here, from the more pristine visual finish to the way the relics you dredge up help paint a picture of the world that was, helps to build up that atmosphere that made the first game so captivating: peaceful, serene, a little melancholy. There’s a serious warning tucked just beneath the surface, but it’s also a game that wants you to just enjoy being in the moment and find a piece of peace. It’s that atmosphere that made Submerged so memorable, Hidden Depths never loses sight of that.

It may be a little uneven at times, but even at its worst, Grand Mountain Adventure: Wonderlands is still a whole lot of fun. When all the pieces come together, though? When pure adrenaline and absolute serenity find just the right balance, and don’t just coexist but reinforce one another? In those moments, it’s sublime.

I think Welcome to Elk is one of those games where the less you know about it going in, the better. That might seem an odd thing to write after a few hundred words trying to describe it, but it’s also so unique and unusual that whatever expectations you might have, they’re almost certainly not going to prepare you for what’s inside. And in a game so fundamentally about stories—not just telling stories that would otherwise risk being forgotten, but exploring the way stories are told and the lives they take on in the process—that willingness to reject expectations goes a long way.

Among Wadjet Eye’s back catalogue, Primordia is certainly one of the most memorable: a gripping sci-fi romp that’s mysterious and dramatic, with fascinating philosophical subtext and just the right amount of humour to balance everything out. It shows its age in some ways, but nonetheless makes a smooth transition to Switch and finds a natural home in handheld mode. If you like classic point-and-clicks and want a different, more thoughtful type of post-apocalypse to explore on your Switch, Primordia is one you don’t want to miss.

Whatever it is that draws you to Gran Turismo—the rags-to-riches solo campaign, online competition, collecting cars, automotive photography, technical accomplishment—Gran Turismo 7 goes above and beyond. It is, as it set out to be, the ultimate celebration of car culture, and I can think of no better way to commemorate the series' 25th anniversary.

Voice of Cards: The Forsaken Maiden continues what The Isle Dragon Roars so brilliantly started: a riff on JRPG foundations delivered in tabletop style, cleverly marrying two closely-related but different sources of inspiration. Its unique spin on the religious pilgrimage theme makes for a compelling, thought-provoking tale that channels classic RPG storytelling style without feeling constrained by it. But more than anything, The Forsaken Maiden proves Voice of Cards’ value as an RPG framework that can play host to all sorts of adventures, and I can’t wait to see what else comes out of it.

Pokemon Legends: Arceus is a thrilling step for the Pokemon franchise, and introduces a new style of gameplay that I hope to see further expanded in sequels. Though it shows a lot of promise, the game fails to compete with other open world titles in presentation and variety. I’m stoked about the future of the series, but wish this particular entry aimed higher. Despite that lack of ambition, the game’s charm is undeniable and kept me engaged throughout. For the first time in a while, I’m excited to see what comes next for Pokemon.

It has its share of new ideas, but for the most part, Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth is a classic metroidvania, and it wears that heritage proudly. The inspiration from games like Symphony of the Night is abundant, right down to a little homage to Alucard in the way Deedlit’s cape animates when she runs. “Indie retro-inspired metroidvania” isn’t exactly a rarity these days, but Wonder Labyrinth has the goods, with the intricate level design, fluid movement, and steady stream of worthwhile upgrades that sit at the genre’s heart. It’s probably not going to make a metroidvania fan out of someone who isn’t one already, but as a throwback to Castlevania’s heyday in particular, it’s an impressive effort.

Fun new ideas, tweaks to old systems, and a captivating new chapter in Sophie’s story all help Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream feel like a natural next step after Atelier Sophie, despite the handful of other Ateliers we’ve seen in the meantime. But more than than that, what makes Sophie 2 stand out is what has always made this series stand out: its absolute commitment to pure, unadulterated joy. That’s what you come to Atelier for, and it’s what Sophie’s latest outing delivers in spades.

Warp Frontier is an intriguing, impressive game. It’s got all the pieces of a classic point-and-click adventure, with a few neat twists on that formula and a neat hint system in case you get stuck. Through that, it weaves a gripping science-fiction tale, blending noir and dystopian influences through an excellent, uniquely Australian script backed by equally strong voice performances. Whether you’re after a puzzle-filled adventure game or just an engrossing and thought-provoking story, Warp Frontier has you covered.

But as a case study in how well musou action and turn-based strategy can work together, Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires delivers. It’s the best parts of Koei Tecmo’s grand strategy games and the energetic, strategic combat of Dynasty Warriors, rolled together in a way that elevates both sides of the calculation. That’s long been the case for the Empires line, but building off the strong foundation of Dynasty Warriors 9, this one does it better than most.

Beyond superplays and some rudimentary graphics settings, the PC version of Crimzon Clover: World EXplosion is mostly the same as what landed in Switch in 2020—which is another way of saying it’s the best version of one of the finest doujin shmups around.

The Hundred Year Kingdom has become my go-to when I want a quick little game to unwind with before bed (that inevitably ends up keeping me up way later than I should, because of that “one more turn!” itch). It’s pocket-sized strategy game whose minimalist systems hide a surprising amount of depth and soothing, satisfying way of scratching that civilization-building itch.

Five years after Horizon Zero Dawn debuted on the Playstation 4 and solidified Aloy as a fan favourite in the Playstation mascots lineup, Guerrilla Games have crafted an excellent follow-up. Horizon Forbidden West is, in every way, more substantial and more immersive than its predecessor. If Horizon Zero Dawn was your jam, then this is a must-play. If you enjoyed it but found the world arid and lacking, then Forbidden West has enough packed in the world that it may just get its machine claws into you. I would be flabbergasted if it doesn’t make a Game of the Year nomination list.

Retro Bowl is, easily, one of the most downright enjoyable American football games of the last few years, and its appearance on Switch is a welcome antidote to a dearth of decent handheld gridiron. The Tecmo Bowl inspiration is abundant, and this is a loving homage to a classic full of retro charm, but it also packs a surprising amount of modern design influence under the hood. With quick, rewarding play sessions and a fine balance between ease of play, depth, authenticity, and excitement, Retro Bowl belongs on every football fan’s Switch.

The Letter is an accomplished visual novel: a riveting tale of curses, ghosts, and tragedy, drawing on the traditions of Asian horror cinema and built upon an inconceivably complex web of branching, intertwined narrative threads. That’s a hell of a feat for anyone, let alone as the first project for a young indie studio.

Monster Hunter is a series about systems—Capcom can’t escape that, no matter how much marketing and PR they throw at it. But it isn’t a series about getting it either, as much as its staunchest adherents would have you believe. It’s about feeling it. And Monster Hunter Rise feels good—simple as that.

At the heart of all this, though, OlliOlli World is classic OlliOlli. It’s part combo-centric skating game, part momentum-driven platformer, part arcade-style score chaser that rewards mastery and experimentation. All these pieces come together wonderfully, and those moments when you’re grinding along a tree branch or the spine of some monstrous skeleton in the desert, clinging to your perfect combo and praying you nail the landing, are pure adrenaline. New tricks, new gimmicks, and an intriguing new setting add a lot to an already strong core, and there’s more room for expression and a lower skill floor, but OlliOlli World is still the absolute rush OlliOlli has always been.

In true Alfa System style, Castle of Shikigami 2 sets a rock-solid shmup foundation and then builds on that with creative flair, unique character, and inventive twists–like a match-three style puzzle boss. The Steam port brings revives an arcade classic with the remixed layouts and bullet patterns of New Entry mode and a revamped translation that, if missing some of the comical nonsense of the original English script, offers a much more coherent take on a game that puts a lot of stake in its energetic, character-specific cutscenes.

People like to joke about “the power of friendship” as a trope in JRPGs, but Blue Reflection: Second Light takes that notion and, as earnestly and sincerely as possible, makes it the heart of a truly wonderful adventure. Gust’s sense of atmosphere and aesthetic is second to none, and that’s never been more apparent than it is here. With themes of friendship, love, and support at its core, and every aspect of the game’s design serving those ideas, Second Light is one of the most genuinely uplifting, heartwarming, wholesome games I’ve played in a long time.

Shadow Tactics: Aiko’s Choice manages to be both a welcome expansion for old fans and a surprisingly good place for a new player to jump in. It builds upon Blades of the Shogun in intriguing ways, and even though its challenge and complexity mirrors the later stages of that game, brevity and instructive level design make Aiko’s Choice uniquely placed to showcase what makes tactical stealth games as engrossing as they can be. For a niche genre that’s not exactly known to be welcoming to newcomers, that’s an impressive feat.

Between the monster-raising simulation reminiscent of handheld virtual pets, the relatively untouched PlayStation aesthetic, and the crucial role that CDs hold in both game design and narrative, Monster Rancher is about as quintessentially ‘90s as a game can get. Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX does a fine job of carrying these two PS1 classics into today’s age, both preserving the originals’ charm, and reworking that core, CD-driven system for an age of digital media. And with the social media potential of the latter—the endlessly shareable fun of seeing what monsters your favourite albums create—maybe Monster Rancher is a quintessentially 2020s game, too.

Despite the apparent frivolity of its setup, it’s an honest, heartbreaking story about an extremely difficult subject, approached with utmost care and all the more confronting for it. But it’s a painful journey that needs to be taken, with a hopeful message at the end of it, and the warm embrace of close friends and treasured childhood memories to carry you there.

As enjoyable as the dungeon crawling in Undernauts is, it’s the story that it tells that’ll most grab the attention of crawler fans and newcomers alike. An incisive deconstruction of capitalism that’s thoughtful, pointed, yet deliberately blunt in its commentary, unfolding through one of the most unique and intriguing settings you’ll find in a videogame, makes Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi one of Experience’s best—and one that deserves attention far beyond the usual DRPG niche.

After decades collecting dust in Sega’s archives, Clockwork Aquario is finally out in the world, and what a joy it is to play! A conceptually simple action platformer done well can be a delight, and with its playful energy and comic charm, delight is exactly what you’ll find here. But as much fun as Clockwork Aquario is, the more important part is what an achievement this is as far as game preservation goes: a long-lost game, developed almost to completion but never released, finally gets to shine.

With Lunar Edition being Black Label-style remix rather than just an updated or enhanced version, it’s a bit of a shame the original Space Moth or DX version aren’t included (especially since they’re not otherwise available on Switch). But, nice as such inclusions would be, they’re far from necessary—a clever twist on classic bullet hell action and systemic interplay that’s a delight to explore make Space Moth: Lunar Edition more than capable of standing on its own.

In a medium that’s so happy to turn war into a frivolous entertainment, it’s rare to see a game actually engage with the realities of war in any meaningful way. You might not expect it from the cute character designs, but that’s exactly what Fuga: Melodies of Steel does, and with remarkable success: weave a harrowing but ultimately hopeful story about the destruction that war leaves in its wake and the desperate lengths people will go to to save those they care about.

Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water isn’t scary so much as haunting, and that’s an important distinction. Where plenty of horror games begin and end with trying to scare the pants off their players, this one looks for something much deeper, and turns to the long, rich history of yūrei folklore to find it. That’s what I missed when I first played it five years ago, but a remaster is a perfect opportunity to revisit and reassess—and I’m so glad I did. This is a game that deserves a far better reception than it originally got, and I just hope I’m not alone in giving it the benefit of the doubt a second time round.

The end result is a remarkable, powerful game. Life is Strange: True Colors stays true to the series’ roots, using supernatural twists and an underlying mystery as the backdrop for a story that’s focused on the quiet beauty of everyday life and the connections that form between people. Within that, it carves its own path with a moving exploration of the power of empathy and the importance of finding a place to call home.

The Caligula Effect 2 isn’t a sequel I ever saw coming: a follow-up to one of the most overlooked, underrated games of the last few years. It follows closely in its predecessor’s footsteps, and while it could never hope to be quite as groundbreaking, it still finds ways to bring a fresh perspective to the moral philosophy and psychological exploration at the heart of the series. It still won’t be for everyone, but nor is it trying to be—and anyone who likes JRPGs that break from the mold and leave them with something to think about is in for something special.

G-Darius HD does an impressive job of what matters the most: keeping a classic arcade game alive and readily available for old hats to revisit and new generations to discover. And for something as groundbreaking as G-Darius—something that can still make an impression today, almost 25 years since it first hit arcades—that history is an important thing to hold on to.

Between stunning performances, a sharp new script, gorgeous, cinematic presentation, and the fluid action that ties everything together, it tells that story beautifully. Xuan Yuan Sword may not be a well-known name in the west, but it should be—and Xuan Yuan Sword 7 is a wonderful demonstration of why.

That playful little side-story aside, the ideas at play in Finale are ones that Mary Skelter has been running with since the beginning: of hope and despair, of fate and free will, of fetishism and transgression. Finale doesn’t try to change that; rather, as the dramatic conclusion to the trilogy, takes those ideas to new extremes that enthrall and (deliberately) repulse in equal measure. I still wish it went further, and took the opportunity given by the earlier games’ endings to truly push the boundaries, but failing that, the more-is-more approach works just fine. And with the neat twists that the multi-party setup brings to the dungeon crawler formula to tie it all together, Mary Skelter Finale is a great send-off to one of thee most unique, memorable settings in recent videogame memory.

Otomate has a rare gift for weaving together enchanting, sexy romance and thoughtful, often challenging themes. Olympia Soiree is as fine an example of that as any, using its romantic themes to go down some dark, confronting roads—but roads that need to be travelled, to say things that need to be said, and ultimately ending up in a hopeful place. And with the studio’s penchant for sublime artwork, sharp writing, and absolutely gorgeous character designs, it’s an enthralling journey from start to finish.

The transient nature of the microgame concept means WarioWare: Get It Together, isn’t the kind of thing you’d want to pull out for a long haul, but for short bursts of pure, chaotic delight—especially with friends—you can’t go wrong. It’s surprising that it’s taken this long for Wario and his crew to become playable characters in their own game, but their unique abilities (and flaws) are a welcome twist on the frantic nature of WarioWare‘s rapid-fire minigames.

Deathloop is a rewarding and ambitious experience that smartly combines Arkane’s immersive sim bedrock with a fluid nonlinear structure. Its smooth gameplay and naturalistic narrative stylings are interrupted by lacklustre PC performance, though it fulfils a puzzle-box Groundhog Day fantasy few other games have been ambitious enough to touch.

Tales of Arise is a phenomenal game: an engrossing story, the best combat the Tales series has seen to date, and art direction that's nigh unmatched in its sheer beauty. But, impressive as those things are, what really sets this game apart—what really marks this as a bold new vision for the series—is how cleverly it twists JRPG conventions to unpack that well-worn "evil empire" trope. Tales of Arise is more than just a brilliant game; it's a nuanced, insightful thesis on the mechanisms of oppression and liberation.

Fans of the original can now rest easy, knowing that the sequel they wanted, for the best part of two decades, has finally come to fruition, and it’s everything they could have wanted, and more. Psychonauts 2‘s story is deeper, more heartfelt, and wonderfully compelling. The mechanics and concepts in the original have greatly improved (although not without its minor issues), and the characters and their personalities exude bucketloads of charm. Without a doubt, this game will be on a number of game of the year nominations. Better sixteen years late than never.

Cotton Reboot is the way to do a remake. It’s a bold reimagining of a cult classic, one that remains authentic to the cheeky, playful energy of the original game, but isn’t afraid to rework it to a significant degree and introduce an inventive new scoring system, creating an exciting new shmup outing in the process. But by including the original game, faithfully preserved and presented on equal footing, the remake never tries to replace the original. They’re different sides of the same coin, each serving a different purpose but providing the perfect complement to one another—and also laying the groundwork for when Cotton Rock ‘n’ Roll: Superlative Night Dreams lands later this year.

There really isn’t anything bad to say about Unavowed. It’s one of the most confident adventure games released in a long while. It shows that developer Wadjet Eye have a keen understanding of not only narrative structure, but of the adventure genre as a whole. If you’re looking for an earnest, fully-realised adventure game that harkens back to the genre’s roots, while also putting deftly-written, three-dimensional characters at its forefront, then look no further.

Technical struggles in the open world aside, No More Heroes III proves its worth as a brutally satisfying and subversive action game with magnificent boss fights and hilarity in spades.

Samurai Warriors has long been a vessel for an exciting delve into the Sengoku era—one that, despite its extravagances, always puts authenticity at its core. That’s truer than ever in Samurai Warriors 5, with a new, more dramatic approach to storytelling and a singular focus on the legacy of Nobunaga Oda, and the way it balances an extremely divisive historical reputation is nothing short of remarkable. With some welcome refinements to the endlessly enjoyable action-strategy game at the Warriors series’ core to round out the package, this is a fantastic new direction for Samurai Warriors.

The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is an outstanding entry for existing fans and a great starting point for new ones. If you're prepared to read through hours of text, this entry provides a collection of supremely well-written cases populated by fascinating characters with no prior series investment required. While its portable origins are plain to see, these newly translated games are a well-earned triumph brought about by a dedicated fanbase.

While not every design choice has aged as gracefully as its gorgeous art style and incredible dungeons, the implementation of a wide range of improvements ensures The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD remains a memorable adventure worth experiencing on the Nintendo Switch.

Mini Motorways is a surprisingly ambitious game for its scope. It executes a simple yet remarkably thoughtful premise and largely achieves great results. In everything from its visual style to its gameplay, Mini Motorways is broadly accessible, and smartly introduces the player to increasingly complex scenarios. Even though it doesn’t quite match the design perfection of something like Tetris, that’s still a pretty remarkable comparison to inspire.

Packed with technical improvements and a superb single player expansion, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade further cements its spot as one of the greatest remakes in gaming history.

Though the circumstances that made a whole new release necessary are disappointing (for Christophe Galati more than anyone, I’d imagine), Save me Mr Tako: Definitive Edition really does live up to the “Definitive” part of its name. It keeps intact everything that made Save me Mr Tako so great back in 2018—the authentic Game Boy look and feel, the vibrant world, the nifty platforming, the surprisingly deep and heartfelt story—but with a bunch of welcome tweaks, balance improvements, and new features that really bring out the best of a delightful, if overlooked, indie gem.

Scarlet Nexus reminds me a little of The Caligula Effect, in a way. Not in theme or style, but in tone, in energy, and the way it uses the JRPG format to go down some fascinating, thought-provoking paths. But where such games are not unusual from smaller developers, it’s a rare joy to see a publisher like Bandai Namco take the same risks, and to see those experimental ideas get the budget they need to truly shine. In a world where the “punk” suffix is often just a shallow aesthetic choice, Scarlet Nexus truly lives up to its “brainpunk” vision.

Ever since its announcement, there have been concerns about Guilty Gear Strive and the new direction it’s going: concerns that it would try too hard to make the game approachable at the cost of depth, that it would oversimplify things, that it’d lose what makes Guilty Gear Guilty Gear. And sure, Strive is a different beast, with a different tempo and a different focus, but it’s still got all the quintessential pieces of Guilty Gear in place: the tactical depth, the interplay between systems that creates fascinating strategic opportunities, the rich characters, the hype, the big juicy combos. It’s a little lacking in bells and whistles and the lobby system leaves a lot to be desired, but the core of the game is rock solid—and, really, that’s what’s most important.

Disco Elysium – The Final Cut is something rare. It’s a re-issued version of an already-beloved game, that manages to eclipse the source material through clever and thoughtful additions that maximise one of the game’s most beautiful assets: its prose. But more than that, it’s the only CRPG that can truly claim to emulate the tabletop experience—not through adherence to statistics or rules or character sheets, but through the simple act of asking questions, and thoughtfully incorporating the answers.

Despite those technical shortcomings and the lacklustre experience that is Ninja Gaiden 3, Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection is an impressive collection that shows why this series is so lauded. From the ambitions of Ninja Gaiden Sigma to the way Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 refined those ideas to near-perfection, these are some of the best action games you’ll play—and they hold up surprisingly well today. I guess I like Ninja Gaiden now.

As the first entirely new Ratchet & Clank in almost eight years, and the latest entry in one of the defining franchises of the PS2, Rift Apart had a big legacy to live up to. But boy, does it manage to step into those magneboots, delivering a decidedly modern game that creatively pushes technical boundaries, while also being grounded firmly in the joyful, playful design philosophy of that golden age of 3D platformers. Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart feels like something from an alternate dimension where that early 2000s style of platformer design never went out of vogue.

Sumire isn’t quite like anything else out there, because that’s the nature of grief—it’s deeply personal stuff, despite being such a universal thing to deal with. It’s heartbreaking, in the way that losing a loved one can only be, but it’s also a bittersweet story of hope: of keeping the memory of loved ones alive in our actions, about living each day to the fullest, and cherishing all the little moments that we’re blessed with. It’s beautiful.

The very nature of what Strangeland is means it’s not going to be for everyone—there’s something inherently alienating in its bleak premise and puzzles that make the odd dose of frustration a thematic design conceit. But if you’re on the same page, this haunting, uncanny, strange adventure is one that will sit with you.