Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is a delight, with superb character customization and plenty of charming humor. Its hands-off nature won’t be for everyone, and the lack of a dedicated Nintendo Switch 2 version is a missed opportunity, but there’s still no other game that offers its special brand of unapologetic weirdness.

From the intriguing narrative and wonderful Lunar setting to its multifaceted and moreish combat, Pragmata is a joy to experience. Hugh and Diana’s trek through an AI-powered moonbase gone bad is full of satisfying combat encounters and puzzles in some exceptionally cool environments, with only a few wrinkles.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park is the definitive way to play the greatest 2D Mario game in a generation. With revamped visuals, entertaining new boss battles, and an Assist Mode for younger players, there’s a lot to love here. The new multiplayer minigames are, admittedly, a bit hit-and-miss, and some single-player content, like decorating Bellabel Park, may not entice owners of the Switch original to upgrade. But still, this is a strong overall package, and a must-buy for those who have never played Super Mario Bros. Wonder before.

Crimson Desert manages to capture the essence of pure open-world exploration and delivers incredible combat that is unlike anything you've played previously, while offering an engaging story that keeps you engaged as you progress through its massive map. It's not perfect due to some of its quality of life issues and unfair boss encounters, but this is a game that deserves very high praise.

John Carpenter's Toxic Commando is a satisfying spiritual successor to World War Z and a moreish co-op zombie shooter with enough new mechanics to stand out. The shift towards larger, more open maps and the addition of vehicles are both enjoyable twists that add more gameplay possibilities than ever and, although the campaign is a little brief, there’s plenty of room for the game to grow like the studio’s previous effort.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is a visually striking expansion of Capcom’s beloved series, artfully adapting its core combat principles while maintaining the gnarly monster designs. A pool of side quests muddies the pacing somewhat, made worse by inconsistent platforming across the open world. Still, warm writing and lively vocal performances more than make up for what it lacks. If you’re looking for a rich world to sink hours into, look no further.

Avowed was already a pretty great action role-playing game when it arrived on Xbox platforms and PC last year, but its PlayStation 5 port is even better largely due to its excellent integration of the DualSense controller's adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. Coupled with an anniversary update absolutely brimming with fresh features and compelling content, the added immersion delivered through the gamepad easily makes this the best way to brave the Living Lands and battle the Dreamscourge.

Pokémon Pokopia was always bound to be up there among my most-played games of 2026, but even I underestimated how well Nintendo would tackle its latest town-building / cozy life sim. It’s story-driven, offering a great gameplay loop, inventive mechanics, and very few friction points; Nintendo clearly learned from some of Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ quality-of-life hiccups. My only wish would be for a little more individuality in Poké-personalities, but it’s still plenty charming as it is.

Tales of Berseria Remastered shows that risks do pay off when breaking from tradition. A dynamic combat system and darker storyline work wonders to separate it from other entries. Going on an adventure to reclaim what’s been stolen from you is as entertaining as it is dramatic and thanks to great additions like map markers and updated framerate, it’s the best way to experience one of the franchise’s strongest stories yet.

Resident Evil Requiem shines in its incredible first half, which masterfully blends pulse-pounding horror with intense action. Unfortunately, that winning formula isn’t maintained throughout the latter sections, which devolve into fan-service moments strung together by an increasingly sloppy plot. Still enjoyable, but ironic that an instalment about moving on from the past would be so weighed down by it.

With its satisfying sneaking and intricate, highly replayable levels, Styx: Blades of Greed is comfortably the best proper, old-fashioned stealth game of the last decade. Unfortunately, a wealth of bugs and technical issues on PC, not to mention the often cheap-feeling voice acting and cutscenes, reduce its appeal for those that aren’t genre die-hards.

Like any game in Grasshopper Manufacture’s offbeat catalog, Romeo is a Dead Man isn’t for everyone. On the surface, it’s a hilariously violent action game with bizarre pop culture references, and the story might alienate players who are more used to titles with straightforward narratives. But dig down a little, and you’ll find that Romeo is a Dead Man deals in immensely rewarding combat, irreverent and varied art styles, and above all, a ton of soul, all in spite of a short runtime.

In truth, I wasn’t all that sure Mewgenics could win my heart the way its predecessor, The Binding of Isaac, did, but I’m glad to have been proved sorely wrong by this inventive and complex turn-based roguelike. Beneath the veil of crassness and feline fornication lives a well-paced and content-packed adventure that demands strategic thinking. Yes, its humor feels dated in places, but it stands as a testament to the enduring charm of whimsical, tongue-in-cheek indie games.

Nioh 3 is a brilliant evolution of the series’ formula. This third entry mostly heightens the strengths of its predecessors, while simultaneously streamlining and improving things that didn’t work so well. Meanwhile, its emphasis on switching between Samurai and Ninja styles - in addition to a successful shift to a semi-open-world format - makes Nioh 3 the franchise's most fleshed-out and polished experience to date.

You could tell me Dragon Quest VII Reimagined was an entirely new game released for the first time in 2026 and I’d believe you. At the same time it stays undeniably true to the original, with still enough tweaks to feel more approachable than many other RPGs.

Cairn is an extremely good and beautifully made climbing game that is exceptional at executing the one specific thing it's trying to recreate. If you go in knowing that and are on board with it, then you'll find a tough yet massively rewarding experience, but some frustrations could cause others to completely bounce off it.

Code Vein 2 is the very definition of a dream sequel. It improves on almost every aspect of the promising yet flawed original to deliver a surprisingly unique soulslike experience. The shift to an open world is (mostly) successful, experimenting with different builds is a breeze thanks to the revamped Blood Code system, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with this world, its characters, and the tragic stories they tell. If it wasn’t for the game’s shoddy performance on console, I’d say Code Vein 2 is a must-play.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on the Switch 2 is the second-best way to play the best way to play FFVII. It's wonderful to be able to take this game on the go, but the graphical downgrades might not appeal to folks with access to more powerful hardware.

MIO: Memories in Orbit doesn't quite hit the highs of the genre greats, but developer Douze Dixièmes clearly understands what makes a Metroidvania sing, with a stylish, thoughtful, and enjoyable adventure. It starts slowly, and a few elements aren't fully realised, but this is a fabulous game for newcomers and fans of the genre who will feel right at home.

Star Wars Outlaws Gold Edition is an incredible port that delivers smooth performance in addition to a formidable level of detail and impressive ray-tracing effects. With all the game’s significant downloadable content included at a fantastic value price, this is a must-have experience for any Nintendo Switch 2 owner.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows feels surprisingly at home on Nintendo Switch 2. Despite some understandable cuts to the visual quality it remains an immersive, satisfying, and well-rendered gaming experience. Unfortunately, small issues with the frame rate and input lag can frustrate throughout the game, but following a very successful first patch, the road to optimization is clear.

Yakuza Kiwami 2 has been ported effectively to Nintendo Switch 2, with performance that compares well with the PS4 version in both handheld and docked mode. Sure, some of the technical issues from the past still stand – the targeted 30fps framerate and occasional drops cause gameplay to lack the fluidity of the first Yakuza Kiwami – but the streamlined combat, engaging story, and typical zaniness of the series is strong here. The Dragon of Dojima still gets a solid outing on Switch 2.

Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted is the definitive version of the original game, combining 2009’s PC version with content from the console and mobile releases. Some tweaks in the art style might not appeal to purists, and some bugs at launch needed weeding out, but it’s still a seminal tower defence and puzzle game that’s well worth playing today.

Yakuza Kiwami feels great on Nintendo Switch 2, and performs at a smooth 60fps, displaying at 1080p. Loading times are kept snappy, and with a rare exception, cutscenes look as good as you’d hope. Kiwami itself is an excellent remake of the first game in a legendary series, and its simplistic yet addictive combat, engaging story, and surreal substories mean it's still a smash hit.

Dispatch is no repeat of the tired, mature superhero story, but rather a heartfelt adventure about former villains looking for a second chance. With a cast of lovable characters voiced by an all-star cast, impressive interactive gameplay, and all wrapped in a gorgeous animated art style, AdHoc Studio's debut title is the underdog of the year that has reopened the door that I thought was long closed on the episodic, choice-based narrative genre.

Octopath Traveler 0 is another excellent RPG in this new-era classic franchise. But while there's an awful lot to love here, this entry also shaves off some of the unique identity that Octopath has carved for itself. Tell me this is Final Fantasy, and I'd believe you.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond can't possibly live up to years and years of anticipation, but that's not to say it's a disappointment. Drop-dead gorgeous visuals pair with stunning environments and a uniquely alien atmosphere. Its massive open desert is a slog to get through, however - even on Samus's new bike - but Beyond is nonetheless an adventure that's tough to put down, flaws and all.

Having braved the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone on Xbox last year, I was already won over by Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl's unique blend of first-person shooter, survival horror, and punishing open-world. But thanks to the PS5 version's bug-free, polished launch, notable graphical upgrades, and immersion-cranking DualSense integration, those feelings have been solidified.

Kirby Air Riders feels like a combination of Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros. at their most chaotic. You’ll have to carefully balance battering rival riders while also out-speeding them, all while mastering seemingly simple controls – controls that actually require significant skill to master. The game is vibrant and visually stimulating, and also offers a great line-up of characters and customization tools. But it’s not quite perfect.

Arc Raiders is the first extraction shooter that truly feels built for everyone. It blends tension, atmosphere, and unexpected humanity into a world that begs you to risk it all for one more haul. Arc Raiders captures the magic that made us fall in love with multiplayer in the first place. It’s polished, accessible, and impossible to put down. This is truly one of the year’s absolute best.

Anno 117: Pax Romana is a beautiful and refined city builder that’s almost impossible to put down. It’s more approachable than its predecessor and is full of quality of life changes that fans will love, but it undeniably lacks the same level of depth and complexity - especially if you’re starting out in the Albion setting.

Despite some audio issues and janky animations, Tales of Xillia Remastered proves the classic game was worthy of being brought back in 2025. The smooth graphics and fluid gameplay make for a very enjoyable experience, even for fans of the original. For newcomers, the stellar cast of characters, intense plot, and excellent customization are worth the price of admission.

Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage is the latest edition of the two-decades-old (yes, really) 3D fighting game, and one that finally makes it available for modern consoles. It plays as well as it ever has, with a steep but mega satisfying learning curve, and an incredibly diverse roster of characters. World Stage mode is a fun little single player addition, but lackluster customization and long matchmaking times remain as the game’s weak points.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is a huge improvement over Age of Calamity. It offers more characters with interesting move sets, decent performance, and a story that doesn’t relegate itself to being a meaningless ‘what if’ scenario. Said story here does miss some open goals here and there, and the inevitable Musou repetition can set in during longer sessions. But overall, Age of Imprisonment delivers an incredibly satisfying Warriors experience with delectable Zelda flavor.

Despite small nitpicks such as recycled events and an at-times rough user interface, Europa Universalis 5 is a fantastic grand strategy game. Extremely complex but well worth the effort it takes to learn, this game feels like developer Paradox has learned the lessons of the last 15 years of its games.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is an absolute triumph. It brings a gorgeous visual overhaul, addictive turn-based combat, and top-tier quality of life updates to the table. I was wowed by its orchestral score, and by the high-reward exploration throughout. Voice acting is brilliant too – I just wish there was more of it. Overall, this is a shining example of what a remake should be, and playing through this duology has been a real highlight of my year in gaming.

The Outer Worlds 2’s collection of medium-sized immersive sim-like sandboxes are brimming with detail and avenues for creative exploration. There are some minor missteps, however, namely in moments where the pacing slows down to a trudge, making for uneven momentum in how the adventure plays out. Like Obsidian’s finest games, its latest offering teems with brilliant, witty dialog, strong anti-capitalist themes, and a plot where your decision-making can lead you down truly unpredictable paths.

Just Dance 2026 Edition is a confident and innovative entry in the long-running party series. With beautiful music videos, strong choreography, a varied track list, and fantastic new camera controls, this instalment is the best yet.

Ninja Gaiden 4 is the best game Team Ninja has put out since Nioh 2, and for co-developer PlatinumGames it’s easily its strongest project since 2019’s Astral Chain. A boisterous, blood-drenched character action game, Ninja Gaiden 4 combines the rock-solid difficulty of its predecessors with Platinum’s prowess for satisfying, fast-paced combat. Some levels do drag on with dull platforming sections, but few games this year match the unapologetic thrills of Ninja Gaiden 4’s brutally brilliant combat.

Keeper is a refreshingly creative game out of Xbox-owned studio Double Fine Productions, where you take control of a sentient lighthouse to journey to the top of a mountain with the company of a bird friend. Simple puzzles, tight camera angles, and varied traversal keep the game ticking along, but a lack of extra depth to the world or the story made Keeper feel a little one-note and not as weird as it might think it is.

People often say you can't reinvent the wheel. Pokémon Legends: Z-A proves that sometimes you can improve on perfection, and while some changes need some fine-tuning, the experience it delivers is one I hope I'll see again from this franchise.

Battlefield 6 isn’t the most exciting or innovative entry in the series so far, but it still delivers one of the strongest multiplayer offerings yet. Well-designed maps and the returning class system elevate matches, which especially shine in the new Escalation mode. It’s just a shame that the quality of the online play does not extend to the single-player campaign.

Trials in the Sky 1st Chapter is a fantastic remake and a wonderful introduction into the wider series. Overhauled combat is executed with finesse, while quality of life and visual improvements make the world feel so much more immersive. There are some small localization issues and offbeat, partially voiced segments, but that doesn’t detract all too much from the engaging story and charismatic cast. This is a must-play for JRPG devotees, and one of my personal favorite releases of 2025.

Rarely does a sequel so perfectly develop upon its predecessor's excellence as Hades 2 does while still retaining everything that made the original so great. While adding meaningful features, building upon the world, and mixing up the gameplay, it manages to remain balanced and free from bloat.

The definitive way to play two of the best Mario adventures of all time. If you've never experienced either Super Mario Galaxy or Super Mario Galaxy 2, now is the time to do so: Two magical adventures with addictive level design and an incredible soundtrack. Both games could be on any Mount Rushmore of Nintendo titles.

Ghost of Yotei feels a little like the PS5 exclusive we’ve been waiting for, and a truly great sequel - though not quite a perfect one. Its visceral, bloody combat, wonderful world and map, sense of exploration, and gripping epic tale are true highlights. And while there are a few imperfections, and it really does wear the influence of its predecessor boldly on its sleeve, it's an adventure and landscape to sink hours and hours of enjoyment into.

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is a faithful, yet expanded remaster of a genre-defining classic that gets it right where it matters most. Upgraded visuals, a fast-forward option, and auto-saving go a long way in making Tactics accessible for returning fans and newcomers alike. The voice acting is, at times, a little underwhelming, the camera can still be a touch awkward, and some difficulty spikes can be crushing. But still, an epic story, great score, and pleasingly deep combat make this a must-play for tactical RPG fanatics.

EA Sports FC 26 is a veritable smorgasbord of well-refined modes, improved gameplay mechanics, and never-better player likenesses. No single upgrade defines the experience, but offline players will feel particularly grateful for this year's litany of realism-focused changes.

Dying Light: The Beast went from potential expansion to a fully-fledged sequel, and although its origins are on full display in its narrative and protagonist, it never feels constrained by them. This is a fresh entry into the popular zombie-smashing franchise, taking the action from the city streets to a sleepy Alpine resort, but it's a welcome change of pace that opens up new and exciting ways to kill truckloads of infected Z-heads - it's just a shame that the human enemies still aren't all that interesting to fight.

The visually stunning world of Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree is compelling and full of heart, staking its claim in the bustling roguelite genre with its unique dual-character mechanic. Its cast of vibrant characters, both in your party and in the hub area, fills the journey with depth, though sometimes a little at the expense of the pacing, but still makes for a thoroughly enjoyable adventure.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds isn’t just the best racing game of the year; it brings a confidence and energy that the genre has rarely seen over the past decade and a half. Especially as arcade-like experiences have largely given way to more straight-faced sim racing affairs. CrossWorlds offers a metric ton of things to do, with loads of tracks, characters, vehicles, and unlockables. The racing itself is also plenty addicting, thrilling, and - most importantly - blazingly fast. Some side modes feel a little underbaked, but this is an incredibly strong package where you absolutely get what you pay for.

Hollow Knight: Silksong is so much more than I expected from a sequel, deftly avoiding the pitfalls that come with following up from one of the best indie games. Team Cherry’s second masterpiece is not for everyone, but it’s absolutely proven to be worth the wait. It rewards patience in its combat, platforming, and exploration, before daring the player to take big risks during boss fights. Frustrating map design decisions and a tendency to punish the player early on dampen the experience from time to time, but make no mistake, Silksong is every bit as great as its predecessor.

NHL 26 is the best ice hockey game you can buy, but don't go into the experience expecting a casual pick-up and play experience. With incredible realism and excellent presentation, NHL 26 is the closest thing many of us will experience to playing in the intensity of arenas like the Bell Centre. It's a very good sports game, but sometimes you just want to have fun.

Borderlands 4 surprised me. After not gelling with the series’ prior two entries, the fourth mainline instalment provides some of the most fun I’ve ever had with the quirky looter shooter. Its characters are well-written and not lacking in charm, but most importantly, Gearbox has achieved something I thought impossible: making Claptrap likeable. Some performance issues do need ironing out - especially on PC - and I wish some of the side challenges were a bit more fulfilling. But overall, this is easily the best Borderlands has ever been; yes, even when stacked up to the iconic first sequel.

Sword Of The Sea takes the vivid template drawn in previous titles Journey, Abzû, and The Pathless into boundlessly creative new territory. Across eight levels, you traverse landscapes ablaze with life and reawaken vibrant imagined worlds. It’s a majestic, immersive – and mostly convincing – celebration of extreme sports and a reflection on Earth’s disintegrating environment in an era of climate change.

The NBA series has never been short of things to do for long time fans, but the way NBA 2K26 knits together its vast array of online and offline modes now makes for some of the best on-court action the series has ever seen. I grew to enjoy last year’s game, but I’m enraptured with this one right from the first tip-off.

Everybody's Golf Hot Shots is honest-to-goodness, pure golfing fun. Better than any recent Mario Golf title, and with enough depth to satisfy those looking for a richer experience, it's a game suitable for a surprisingly wide audience. There are tons to see, do, and unlock, but the game is certainly hampered by extremely slow per-character progression.

If you’ve never played Helldivers 2, the game is now somehow even more fun than it was last year. A third enemy faction, new vehicles and mechs, a ton of new guns and customization options make it feel much more fleshed out than it was when dropping in at launch. With that comes some minor issues, however, many of which could be fixed with some kind of cross-save functionality. Still, if you’ve not enlisted to defend Super Earth yet, it’s time to do your part.

Hell Is Us feels like a game that can't quite decide whether it wants to be a soulslike or not, but the result is still a fantastic experience that is compelling and worthy of high praise. The game borrows FromSoft's excellent combat and dark world-building to create a solid action-adventure game with a twisted real-world setting, filled with memorable moments and stunning - if bleak - vistas. I just wish there was a little more substance; a lack of weapon and enemy variety, plus an all-too-short finale, hold it back from true greatness.

It might not be the most challenging platformer around, but this updated version of Kirby and The Forgotten Land is a worthwhile upgrade for existing owners or a fantastic starting point for newcomers. The new Star-Crossed World expansion makes excellent use of the base game, though I’d have still appreciated trickier boss fights and maybe some more Mouthful abilities.

Beneath all of the enhancements, Gears of War: Reloaded is the same ultra-violent adventure starring everyone's favorite group of gruff, foul-mouthed soldiers and their chainsaw-sporting guns. The fact that this previously Xbox-exclusive game is now available on PlayStation for the first time is a clear sign of changing times, but one thing hasn't changed a bit: it's still just as fun mowing through grubs now as it was in 2006.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance triumphs at what it sets out to achieve. A side-scrolling action game, it brings intense, fast-flowing combat and some very light metroidvania elements for brief bouts of exploration. If you’ve played developer Lizardcube’s previous game, Streets of Rage 4, expect a similarly stunning hand-drawn art style here, as well as an excellent soundtrack that keeps the action feeling suitably engaging. Make no mistake, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a game of the year contender and essential play for action game fans.

Herdling is undoubtedly an indie gem, but not without its flaws. While it's visually stunning and creative, the gameplay needs work in certain areas. However, Herdling finds its stride when racing through the more open passages of the game, and there's decent replayability to this quick adventure.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is a fantastic version of an absolute masterpiece, and one I’d wholly recommend to anyone. As a remake, it’s incredibly beholden to the original, to a point that is almost too faithful outside of minor tweaks to gameplay and a visual overhaul. That isn’t inherently a bad thing, but does mean it won’t have too much fresh to offer those returning to it.

Easily the definitive version of the game, and the one I craved for since playing it the first time around, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 Enhanced on PS5 is a triumph. Senua’s bleak, miserable, and absorbing Icelandic tale gets some excellent graphical upgrades and is a staggeringly beautiful with incredible levels of immersion, thanks to its audio-visual execution and exquisite performance and quality on PS5 and PS5 Pro.

WWE 2K25 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition finally brings the thrill of the wrestling ring to handheld, allowing users to battle on the go with similar performance and gameplay to their home console. With a wide variety of game modes to choose from, including The Bloodline’s 2K Showcase, My Rise, and Universe, to name a few, WWE 2K25 on Switch 2 is the wrestling game fans have always dreamed of: the best of sports entertainment in your pocket.

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition brings a massive, must-play RPG to Nintendo Switch 2. Its solid performance and fantastic visuals are technically impressive and a real showcase of what the system can do. Throw in a wealth of Nintendo Switch 2-exclusive features, plus a handy progression sharing system, and you have the best way to play it on the go.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 is the best Tony Hawk has ever been. The 1 + 2 remake set the standard, now 3 + 4 has elevated it by offering more goals and content, extra customization, and introducing new levels. It's not an easy game to master due to a high skill ceiling, but once you get to grips with it, chaining together long combos is so satisfying. Roll on the Underground remakes.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is the best soulslike game since 2023’s Lies of P. Developer Leenzee has handled almost everything expertly, from intricate level design that intelligently loops back on itself to thrillingly fast-paced combat that introduces some very fun defensive elements. It’s also a game that really makes you think about your loadout on a per-level basis, with status afflictions and damage types playing an important role. Some frustrating moments aside, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is an essential soulslike experience.

2024's Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was already one of the year's best games, delivering an incredibly immersive and engaging action-adventure that recaptured the magic of the iconic archaeologist's silver screen exploits. But thanks to noticeable visual and performance enhancements, including native 4K resolution, 60 frames-per-second performance, and advanced ray tracing – as well as some slick DualSense tricks – the PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro versions now offer the title's definitive experience.

Donkey Kong Bananza is the greatest Nintendo Switch 2 title to date, delivering an incredible destruction system that showcases the power of the new system. It’s visually impressive and, while the story isn’t anything to write home about, benefits from charming and expressive voice acting and animations. Throw in a seemingly endless stream of collectibles and secrets, and you have a meaty adventure that’s a delight to explore.

Street Fighter 6 Years 1-2 Edition on Nintendo Switch 2 is a port that does Capcom’s latest fighting game justice. The game is feature complete here, with a combined 26 characters from the base roster and two years of DLC. The single player World Tour mode leaves much to be desired in terms of performance, but the game runs solidly where it counts - namely in Arcade mode, offline versus, and online matches.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was already on the Mount Rushmore of video games. That said, if you weren't able to click with the original due to the performance, the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition completely revolutionizes the game. Having spent over 70 hours exploring the vast region of Hyrule in glorious HDR, I can't recommend this game enough; it's truly one of the best gaming experiences you can buy in 2025.

Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army serves as a faithful, yet significantly refined take on its source material. It stays close to its PS2 roots visually, while adding much-needed quality of life improvements like a fresh UI and enhanced 3D environments. Expressive voice acting and a fantastic array of demons also add color to an engaging, mysterious plot. Unfortunately, there are some aspects that don’t quite land – demon investigations feel a little flat and combat, though improved, can feel a tad clunky at times. All in all, though, this is a lovingly crafted remaster that had me hooked throughout.

Even with no prior experience of the Rune Factory series, Guardians of Azuma is a relaxing blend of genres that works in part due to the wholesome nature of its cast and setting. It’s chicken soup on a rainy day - uncomplicated, but unmistakably enjoyable.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a great example of a sequel that expands on the original without losing sight of it. The traversal is still the star of the show, while the action has been significantly improved without taking over the experience. While a conventional plot takes the back seat for a more character-driven story, the new cast of characters and a phenomenal final third act stick the landing with prime Hideo Kojima bombast.

Split Fiction, on paper, is the perfect companion for the Switch 2. In some ways, it is, with its Friend's Pass allowing for online crossplay and the GameChat feature letting you see and hear your online friends as you play. But there's no getting around the fact that this is a serious downgrade from the versions on other platforms. And, while the Switch 2's versatility means you can technically play on the go, the experience is less than optimal. That's not to say this fun-filled co-op game looks or performs badly, but the drop in quality is disappointing. If you don't care about performance or visuals, however, and simply want a thrilling co-adventure to jump into with a friend, you can't go wrong with Split Fiction.

Dune: Awakening is a survival game where the mechanics feel right at home in its brutal but beautiful fictional world. Between the sunburn, sandstorms, and militant forces leering on your location, there is no shortage of hectic hurdles to fight against as you grow your power and form alliances. Despite the lackluster combat and occasional bugs, Dune: Awakening offers an enticing trial by fire for fans of MMOs and Frank Herbert alike.

Fortnite is the biggest battle royale for a reason. Epic Games has created an ecosystem that you can get dozens of hours of play from without even touching the main Battle Royale mode. The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is a massive step up from the original Switch, thanks to its enhanced performance, and I can’t think of a better way to play the game on a handheld.

The best indie game I've played in a while, The Alters is an ambitious sci-fi tale that successfully marries several game genres with an interesting plot to deliver a standout experience unlike any other. Supporting all the exploration and base management is a beating emotional heart to this game that makes you eager to push forward and see what will happen next.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is already a classic, thanks to its incredible systemic open-world design that truly allows you to run wild and do whatever you’d like. It gives players the tools to experiment, do silly things constantly and make their adventure their own. And if you want to play it straight it’s a wonderful adventure game in its own right. The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is simply the game as you know it, but better thanks to its improvements to framerate and resolution.

While Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster will feel incredibly familiar to returning players, this is the perfect way to play an RPG great. One of the best Nintendo 3DS games is back for a new audience to discover, and sometimes knowing when not to change something is an important part of re-releasing an older title. At times, it feels like a lost relic, but I’m glad it’s here again.

Mario Kart World is easily the standout launch title on Nintendo Switch 2. And while that may not be saying much, I anticipate it’s comfortably going to be the best-selling Switch 2 game for the entire console generation. Nintendo has created a visually stunning kart racer here, chock-full of its trademark charm and personality. But it’s not without its issues - like the daftly organized character select screen and a Grand Prix format that has a bit of an identity crisis - but what’s here is an undoubtedly impressive racing game that I hope Nintendo continues to build and improve upon.

Deltarune is a charming pixelated adventure that's not afraid to lean into the weird and wacky. This indie RPG flips the genre on its head, encouraging kindness over combat and delivering laughs in spades across its four chapters thanks to its witty writing, bizarre characters, and memorable worlds.

Hitman World of Assassination – Signature Edition is a decent port of an incredible stealth game, bringing hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of entertainment to Nintendo Switch 2 in a very well-rounded package. Performance could be better, and there are a few bugs in need of patches, but it's nevertheless a joy to pick up and play and almost impossible to put down.

Lies of P: Overture is an expansion that exudes confidence on the part of developer Round8 Studio, which looks to have already mastered its particular brand of the soulslike format. Overture successfully enriches the entire Lies of P package, with stunning and creative level design and some of the best boss fights in the subgenre as a whole. It’s simply an unmissable experience for fans of the base game.

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is by far the best and most well-rounded compilation of fighting games the studio has put out so far. There’s truly something for everyone here, from the ocean-deep mechanics of Capcom vs. SNK 2 to the madcap party fun of the Power Stone games. Capcom Fighting Evolution is still a dud and could’ve been replaced with literally anything else, but this is an otherwise unmissable collection for both local and online play.

Despite the lack of crossplay and some frustrating multiplayer issues, Elden Ring Nightreign is a fantastic example of how to reuse and reshape an existing framework into a captivating and addictive experience. By removing a lot of barriers and focusing on combat flexibility, player discussion, and map knowledge, FromSoftware has created an impressive co-op experience at launch. It is also an experience with room to expand over the years as new bosses, characters, and world events are added.

This PSVR 2 exclusive rendition of Hitman is an absolute delight, and a prime example of the games the system desperately needs. If you own the PlayStation headset, you won't regret playing this superb VR sandbox.

Doom: The Dark Ages is a good shooter at its core, but as a follow-up to two of the best FPS games ever made, it falls a little flat. The new defensive combat feels like a step back, with movement getting a significant nerf, and, while Doom Slayer is still an exciting character, the story focus feels out of place.

The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered has single-handedly restored my faith in remakes and remasters, allowing me to experience a true classic for the first time that I’d simply have never played otherwise. Tweaking the original game slightly but leaving many of the quirks fans have grown to love strikes a near-perfect balance between old and new.

Channeling true JRPG excellence while putting its own western twist on the genre and turn-based combat, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an absolutely belting game. It has exquisite writing and story craft, wonderfully stylish and multifaceted combat, and is a blisteringly beautiful assault on all the senses from top-notch voice acting and audio to some of the most beautiful environments I’ve seen in years. It has the scope and execution of a game built by hundreds of developers, not a few dozen, and is easily an early game of the year contender.

Lost Records: Bloom and Rage Tape 2 meaningfully explores friendship, queer romance and tragedy. DON’T NOD’s compassionate writing style is consistently bolstered by stellar performances from its small but mighty cast. And, if you take the time to look, there’s detail in every nook and cranny of this inimitable 90s world. While the snappier runtime does mean the supporting characters don’t get as much screen time as they deserve, the heartwarming finale feels like a fitting end to this rebellious and often-brilliant bildungsroman.

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves provides a refreshingly old-school fighting game experience, dialing back on the complicated meter systems and overly aggressive play seen in other modern entries in the genre. However, the game’s REV system provides plenty of risk-versus-reward decision making, while the brake and feint functions allow for much combo and playstyle creativity. You’ll certainly get the most out of it by hopping online, though, as its single-player offerings at launch aren’t overly compelling.

Blue Prince’s fantastic puzzle design, roguelike room-laying mechanics, and intriguing mysteries create an experience that’s utterly captivating. You’re encouraged to ponder every clue and remember every detail, all while striving to find the next big discovery.

South of Midnight has razor-sharp controls and a stunningly unique audio/visual presentation that stands out as one of the most memorable in gaming this year, despite having some predictable combat and exploration.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a massive success and a winning combination of stealth and steel. It’s a fantastic entry in the open-world RPG line of games in the stealth series and the most refined version of that style yet, with satisfying and rewarding exploration, brilliant combat, and a dual protagonist system that really works. Even a few minor quibbles can’t hold it back.

The release of Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition means that the entire Xenoblade quadrilogy is now playable on Nintendo Switch. If you’re playing the enhanced Wii U title for the first time, you’ll undoubtedly be dazzled by its breathtaking open world and astonishingly deep battle system. Series veterans will also appreciate quality-of-life changes like an improved tutorial, better navigation as well as the overall cleaner visuals whether you’re playing in docked or handheld mode.