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.

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S is an underwhelming port of a great game. The addition of a single new mode and a handful of hardware features isn’t enough to justify the steep asking price, especially given its online matchmaking limitations. Had Sega offered a cheap upgrade path for existing Puyo Puyo Tetris owners, it would be much easier to recommend.

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.

Drag x Drive is undoubtedly original and shows off the effectiveness of the Switch 2’s mouse mode pretty well. 3v3 matches are decent fun to hop into if you’ve got a spare few minutes, and the controls are generally intuitive. But as intuitive as they may be, those controls do get tiring on the arms after a little while. Additionally, the game is visually uninspired, lacking the vibrancy and character we all expect from Nintendo titles.

Mafia: The Old Country offers a compelling mob story, complete with great voice acting and beautiful cinematics, that’s undermined by some bizarre mechanics. Shoddy stealth segments, familiar set-pieces, and vanishingly few opportunities to explore its stunning world make for an entry that’s far from the worst in the series, but falls short of the best.

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.

Wild Hearts S gives Switch 2 owners the chance to play Dynasty Warriors developer Omega Force’s monster-hunting game. It’s far from a perfect port, with a noticeable visual downgrade and choppy performance. But it’s still perfectly playable, and the game’s fantastic Karakuri system and interesting take on weapons and armor sets remain as refreshing today as they did in the original release.

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.

Jamboree TV offers some more and varied uses of the Switch 2's unique features with a charming game show format that will be fun for breaking out at parties. Its new content, however, doesn't integrate with the base game and makes for an awfully pricey package if you don't already own the original game.

Arcade Archives 2 Ridge Racer is another excellent addition to developer Hamster’s collection of preserved arcade classics. Having the arcade version of the original Ridge Racer on Switch 2 is a real blessing, and its support for online leaderboards allow for quickfire, moreish handheld play. It’s certainly not the most feature-rich game in the series, but a handful of modes and satisfyingly simple gameplay have kept me coming back.

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.

Fast Fusion is a very impressive showcase of the Switch 2’s graphical capabilities. A decent range of tracks and the awesome fusion mechanic definitely make it worth checking out (especially at its unbelievably low price tag), though some frustrations with progression and borderline unfair AI rubber-banding hamper the overall experience.

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is ultimately a curio that won’t live long in the memory. As a literal tech demo for the various components that keep the Switch 2 ticking, learning things about the system can be fun, and the demos and minigame challenges presented each offer something unique. The experience only lasts a handful of hours, though, and you will need a 4K TV and accessories like the Switch 2 Camera in order to see the game through to completion, which is more than a little cheeky in a paid release.

Tamagotchi Plaza is a painful slog, with embarrassingly basic minigames that fail to provide even a slither of entertainment. Grinding for hours in order to unlock upgrades for its miniscule hub world is incredibly unsatisfying and ultimately a huge waste of time.

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.

While surely a joy for series fans, as a newcomer, Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening can, at times, be unwieldy and lack direction, with core tenets that should work to balance out the game, like diplomacy left flying half-mast. That being said, it’s a rewarding game to master, offering ample replayability and a healthy dose of Japanese history.

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.