Bananza sets out to act as a fresh start for new and old fans alike, taking a fresh twist on what a Donkey Kong game feels like.

Alan Wake 2 is nothing short of a masterpiece, and a game that you absolutely need to play. Kudos, Remedy.

This new version of Dead Space is one of the few remakes that has managed to slot in that little window of time where it’s not been too soon or too long since the release of the original.

You absolutely need to play Spider-Man 2. Insomniac is the pinnacle Sony studio, showing off not only what it can do, but what the PS5 itself can do. I hope you like Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart‘s portals, ’cause they’re about to take your mind for a spin.

Microsoft Flight Simulator is a marvel running on Xbox Series X and S. This is an ambitious game that really should be restricted to high-end PCs, but Asobo Studio has defied the odds to craft a well optimised console version that delivers the full simulation experience. If you want a punishingly accurate simulation of flying a passenger jet, while that remains fully intact on Xbox, Flight Simulator is best suited to a keyboard and mouse with a monitor. But if you prefer to relax and experience the joy of flying anywhere around the world, without having to worry about how your hardware will manage such an ambitious project, Flight Simulator on Xbox Series X and S is marvel to behold. It might not be that easy to read a cockpit flight plan while lounging on the couch, but it’s a stunning way to watch the world go by with Microsoft Flight Simulator on Xbox.

If you’re already a fan of the series, you’ll love this. If you’re new though, you’d better be dedicated as this takes a long time to learn, and longer to master.

This is one for Bayonetta hardcore fans or those who’ve missed out on the originals. It’s also a brilliant way to get ready for Bayonetta 3.

We praised the 3DS re-release for its ability to be enjoyed on the go -- something that's great for any long-running RPG, to be honest -- and the Switch version's able to do that while adding a new coat of paint and content at the same time. The end result makes it an easy recommendation to Switch players and RPG fans alike.

It Takes Two wears a lot of hats, and each of them well. It's a romantic comedy, a challenging shooter, a head-scratching puzzler and more.

My time with Xenoblade Chronicles 3 was overwhelmingly positive. I’ve clocked a hundred hours at this stage, with the main story completed and PLENTY of side content still to go. If you want a big, meaty RPG to dedicate plenty of time, this game’s the one. But remember, soldiers only have ten years on the battlefield – and you might need that whole decade to see everything Aionios has to offer.

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury is a delightful double act. Super Mario 3D World holds up well and offers a unique multiplayer experience that works particularly well on Switch.

Tekken 8 will surely impress fans but I struggled to connect with it like I have Mortal Kombat 1 and Street Fighter 6. There's no denying it's a feast for the senses and is full of stuff to do... but if you're like me and haven't found Tekken memorable despite playing it across many years and many platforms, that's unlikely to change here.

Individually, these are three fantastic franchises, taken as a whole this is a fantastic pack of tables that should appeal to both pinball players as well as gamers who have never picked up a virtual pinball game.

With a visual handheld-to-console upgrade that puts Pokemon Let’s Go! to shame, Fire Emblem: Three Houses shows how to do a console glow-up right.

Despite [a] handful of quibbles, I still find Forza Horizon 6 to be an utter joy. Drifting down lush mountainous woodlands to a stunningly radiant coastal fishing village while Rydeen plays is an absolutely singular experience.

Death Stranding 2 On the Beach is a brilliant game which I largely do not care for. I think it’s inoculated me from the impulse to ever play a new open-world action game again, and I weirdly appreciate it for that. But also Chvrches ordered me to bring them a kangaroo at one point, and that was entirely delightful.

Like A Dragon Infinite Wealth is devoted to trying all-new things while still reserving time for celebrating its long and storied history.

By carefully honouring its past and deliberately weaving together the best of survival and action horror, Resident Evil Requiem finally reconciles the series’ genre identity. This is the most captivated I’ve felt playing a new Resident Evil story since booting up Resident Evil 4 on GameCube all those years ago. It understands why it got action right all those years ago and finally how that best integrates with Resident Evil’s more traditional horror roots – or at least the remakes and reimaginings of them. Leon remains an important ingredient as the poster boy for the franchise, but the real key is partnering him with someone without his courage who’s still determined to survive. Resident Evil is no longer choosing between survival or action. With Requiem, it’s finally mastered survival-action horror.

I’ve been exposed to Dreams for more than two years, and I still can’t create for shit. Luckily, I don’t have to – I’m more than happy to self-identify as an avid Dream Surfer with zero creativity (unless someone reads a writer to really bring their work to life?). Bring on your creations, folks.

For all the hype that’s been extended to Horizon: Zero Dawn, it hasn’t managed to fully deliver. That’s a bit fitting — while we didn’t have access to its day one patch, confirmed by Eschler to enhance the PS4 Pro experience, I really didn’t notice an increased framerate or up-then-downrezzed textures on my 1080p television. Truly, there’s a lot of promise and potential in Guerrilla’s latest work, but ideas and intentions haven’t come together in a way that’s jaw-dropping.

As with Injustice, this sequel is far more than a fighter. It’s a love letter to DC’s heroes and villains, with each easily identifiable… yet not as you’re used to. With a variety of gear sets to earn and apply, alongside the ability to play with a host of colour schemes, Injustice 2 is also a creative playground. With fights. Good fights. If you’ve any interest in DC, or love fighters, this one’s for you.

The Last of Us Part 1 is a PS3 game that looks like a PS5 one that’s also been jacked up to Sony’s premium, $125 AUD current-gen console title price point. That’s unacceptable.

Sekrio: Shadows Die Twice continues FromSoftware’s dominance, showcasing that it’s on another level when it comes creating action games in fantastical worlds. You’re going to die, and you’re go die a lot. But these brilliant gameplay systems that come together to form experiences that we don’t see in other triple-A games is why people get excited for what Hidetaka Miyazaki is doing at FromSoftware. Between Bloodborne, Demon’s Souls, the three Dark Souls games and now with Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Miyazkai has all but solidified himself as one of the greatest game directors of this decade.

Tetris Effect can be extremely relaxing, somehow easing your mind and body into a serene sense of calm; it’s fitting then that a new mechanic called the Zone capitalises on this, allowing you to slow down time and enter a state of near-nirvana. Tetris Effect can also be as stressful as hell when you’re reaching the top of your allowed play space, and that Zone mechanic will still serve the purpose of trying to remedy that. Plan your drops accordingly.

Emily injects new abilities, alongside some different weapon upgrades. There are excellent new environments to go with a similar story that doesn’t really go anywhere; it’s almost a clone of Corvo’s original desire to clear his name of wrongdoings amidst a powerplay. It makes for a very good action-stealth adventure that genuinely encourages playing by your own rules. But whereas we praised Dishonored 1 for being one of the most unique triple-A games of last-generation, that inherently isn’t the case with its very good, but very safe, sequel.

The core game remains excellent in almost every way; if you’re solely a PS4 owner, now is your time to experience the next chapter in Lara’s epic tail.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps follows the Blind Forest as a special game that is unrivalled in its class.

With Monster Hunter Wilds, the developers are really trying. Trying to keep the formula fresh and interesting, trying to embrace the benefits that newer and more powerful technology brings and trying to entice new players into the oft cult-like fold of Monster Hunter die-hards. I’m pleased to report that Capcom have succeeded in all these goals to some degree, though the degree of that success varies. There’s never been a better time to dip into the Monster Hunter franchise than with Wilds. Hope to see you out there, hunter.