Streets of Rage 4 is the rare retro revival that respects and celebrates the originals while also having something of its own to say. The visuals, sounds and mechanics aren't as envelope-pushing in 2020 as the originals were in the early '90s, but the balance between embracing nostalgia and reformulating the brawler for the current decade is struck wonderfully.

If you like your games fast, then strap yourself in for a white-knuckle ride, because Burnout Revenge is relentlessly intense.

An insuppressibly charming journey of sky-high exploration and Metroid-style underground dungeon crawling, Owlboy offers a whole lot of heart alongside its innovative takes on tried-and-true adventure game staples.

Four-player online races are smooth and fiercely competitive.

With more complex combat, a slimmer and harder-hitting story, more interesting characters and better performance, this is a superior game to its predecessor in every way except for the fact that there's less of it. A perhaps unintended consequence is that I find myself caring less about a full-fledged future sequel following the adventures of Peter Parker and his rich friends. I'm really hoping we see more of Morales.

The cute Japanese animation belies the tactical intricacy.

Film-to-game adaptations with this level of clarity and vision are incredibly rare, with The Great Circle letting players inhabit a pitch-perfect Indy in his prime, complete with all the whip-cracking and fascist-punching that implies. But even for those unfamiliar with the franchise, this is a seriously satisfying period pulp adventure.

This Lego retelling of the prequels is both a loving tribute and an amusing parody.

Delivering yet another fresh twist on Shovel Knight's peerlessly smooth faux-retro brilliance, King of Cards is a challenging, funny, beautiful game that serves not only as the final chapter in the saga but also as proof of how far its creators have come.

A complete makeover is overdue, but Pokemon remains as engrossing as ever.

The handling is remarkable, and the fact the tracks are littered with obstacles that bounce and crash realistically makes it all the more fun. Throw in excellent damage modelling and it's plain to see that this game has nailed the core mechanics of an addictive racer perfectly.

Beautiful, weird and unexpectedly complex, there is at times a deep reverence for gaming's most famous brand here, and at other times an overwhelming urge to pull it apart and make fun of it. At the same time though, Kingdom Battle sets itself apart by avoiding the running and jumping that made its main character famous, focusing instead on an impressive strategy shooter design that would have been great on its own but is made even better with the addition of Nintendo's familiar properties.

Splatoon 2 has a lot of substance, and every bit of it is literally oozing with style. Keeping everything that made the original game great while expanding on modes, fashion, weapons and features, this is a powerfully addictive family-friendly shooter.

Breathtaking in scale, Medieval II will keep you glued to the screen.

Delivering a pitch-perfect blend of cinematic spectacle and cartoony fast-paced action, while also providing the most impressive showpiece yet for the PlayStation 5 hardware, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart looks, sounds and feels like a truly next-generation game. That it does this while also offering the exact same high level of heart, imagination and endearing characterisation we’ve come to expect from Insomniac Games is just as impressive.

With deep characters, heaps of interesting narratives you can tackle as you like, constant gratifying upgrades, a stunning look and potentially the greatest sword combat in modern gaming, this is a Samurai adventure I couldn't get enough of, even if I had some niggles with the overall story and a few outdated design choices.

With a cinematic story filled with personal drama, subversive twists and likeable characters, but set in a fantastical universe much more akin to the one seen in print, this is the best of Spidey's film and comic book iterations combined. But it's also a sensational game, blending open world acrobatics with more focused linear areas, and a well-realised protagonist with the freedom of fun upgrades and customisation.

With a flimsy-but-fun narrative premise and rock solid platforming gameplay backing it up, the rhythm of exploration and upgrading here is about as addictive and satisfying as they come. I'd go so far as to say Dig 2 out-Metroids Samus Returns, but on top of that its mix of free-form exploration and self-contained puzzle rooms makes for an original twist.

A simple idea brilliantly executed. Perfect for newcomers to gaming.

Battles are marvellously theatrical, with punches, kicks and throws so powerful the ground ruptures when pugilists fall.

With splotchy, shimmering visuals and stunning reactive jazz albums that play along to your every charge, swipe and limb-separating bash, this gorilla escape simulator looks, feels and sounds amazing in equal measure, and it all combines for an uncomplicated but addictive good time.

Though the game only takes a few hours to play through, the multiple layers of story — which each unlock additional meaning in the others once uncovered — make for a groundbreaking narrative system unlike anything else. But more impressive is the emotional impact of the stories themselves, not just the tale of a crisis aboard a space station and the perils of corporate-controlled AI, but the intertwining stories of six people's lives, loves and losses.

With an amazingly addictive battle system, interesting stories and a beautiful world that I wanted to (and was encouraged to) explore inch of, this is a special adventure that feels like playing a classic Final Fantasy for the first time, but with the gameplay and presentation benefits of an extra 20 years or so of progress.

The PSP's lack of dual analog sticks has handicapped other action games, but Dark Mirror copes admirably. Players can control the camera, quickly access weapons and gadgets, kick open doors and change stance with ease.

A triumphant survival horror blockbuster with strong replay appeal, but some players will lack the patience to cope with its considerable demands.

Frequent gags, sharp dialogue and attention to detail richly reward those willing to explore and experiment.

Many have tried and failed to craft an accessible and satisfying turn-based strategy game in the years since Nintendo abandoned Advance Wars, but Wargroove is near perfection. From the slick animation and funny writing to the deep tactics and diversity of play options, this is more than just a throwback or homage.

From the depth of its world-building and its gratifying combat to the unexpected twists of its story and a handful of truly unforgettable kaleidoscopic fighting sequences, this is an inspired game that manages to match its crazy, beautiful, otherworldly storytelling with action that's every bit as good.

Echoes of Wisdom marks a welcome change in protagonist and introduces a brilliant new approach to items and combat, but it’s otherwise business as usual for the series; this is a beautiful, joyful and surprising fantasy world to explore, with just the right mix of nostalgia and innovation. It's a stellar debut for a new heroine (despite her name being in all the series titles), and an instant classic.

Car handling is demanding, but beginners can instantly have fun, thanks to helpful driving assists and generous early prizes.

Few games are this fresh or entertaining.

While it's not quite as epic as "GTA:SA," the combat within Mercenaries is more focused and polished, thanks to tight controls, amazing graphics and clever physics.

Beautifully strange and gleefully morose, What Remains of Edith Finch is a singularly amazing work of video game magical realism. Though brief and lacking any gameplay challenge, this is an incredibly special game by virtue of its narrative and creativity alone.

With a bottomless well of rules to learn and secrets to uncover, the endless satisfaction of making it further and further as your knowledge grows, and the looming spectre of death always just a second of lapsed judgement or a quirk of cosmic fate away, Spelunky 2 strikes a perfect balance of incredible complexity and endearing charm to create a replayable package anyone can enjoy.

And whether you are tooling around with a giant bowling ball or bringing a mob boss to justice in record time, Xbox Live support lets two friends run riot side by side.

While it has some notable but minor flaws, it's hard to argue that Red Dead Redemption 2 is not a masterpiece. The end result of the meticulous detail, wonderful writing and stunning looks is an open world that sets a new bar for believability, and a time and place I can't stop thinking about or wanting to be a part of.

There's not a dud song in Legends, so this is easily the most consistent SingStar game so far, even if it might be geared a little more to thirtysomethings.

So tense that it doesn't fit the typical definition of fun: it's actually a very stressful experience. But the gameplay is so compelling you will be forced to keep scaring yourself senseless until you make it to the final scene.

Considering the complexities of building this type of game, it's nothing short of a miracle that World of Warcraft and its land of orcs and goblins has been launched so successfully.

While the deeply relatable narrative, sketchy art and evocative music could all conceivably be delivered in a short film, it's the brilliant metaphors of the touchscreen play that make Florence truly special. It's breathtaking and emotionally affirming little game.

This is by far the nicest iteration of the game to date, with both more guided objectives and more options for self-led tomfoolery, wrapped in a much higher definition version of the familiar rustic-meets-plushies visual and audio motifs.

Squadrons' gameplay core is finely tuned, and its spectacle layer nails the Star Wars illusion. Perhaps in a few months I'll long for a meatier suite of modes and maps, but, in the heat of battle, Rebel and Imperial pilots haven't had an experience this engaging since the Nintendo GameCube era.

Momentum might not be important to the AC series anymore thanks to its shift towards RPG-lite but its other original key pillar, history, is utilised better than ever here. Not the specifics of what once happened, but the depiction of life elsewhere, elsewhen, and how well that is incorporated into core gameplay loops. With a clearer, more deliberate focus on the past in Valhalla, the series' future is bright.

The Outer Worlds is a well-written, novel, gorgeous roleplaying game, made for today using some of yesterday's best tricks. If you fall into the trap of using fast travel it can feel like ticking off to-do list items instead of adventuring. But if you force yourself to slow down and let the sharp dialogue, otherworldly vistas, and intriguing characters work their magic, it's one of the best roleplaying experiences of the last few years.

With new monsters, a vibrant and more immersive world, seamless connectivity with other players near or far and a heap of quality of life tweaks, Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield are a clear generational leap.

With new monsters, a vibrant and more immersive world, seamless connectivity with other players near or far and a heap of quality of life tweaks, Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield are a clear generational leap.

With new monsters, a vibrant and more immersive world, seamless connectivity with other players near or far and a heap of quality of life tweaks, Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield are a clear generational leap.

Dark and dirty but also full of fun and discovery, Shadow of the Tomb Raider is rife with jungle mysteries, embellished history, gratifying puzzles and Lara Croft's personal struggles. With more open world exploration, more climbing, more tombs and more options for combat, it's a familiar but improved adventure and a gripping conclusion to the trilogy.

A calm but challenging puzzle adventure filled with minimalist charm and surprisingly loveable quadrilateral characters, Boxboy! + Boxgirl! is filled to the brim with laid-back problem-solving goodness whether you're playing alone or with a friend. A brilliant Switch debut for Nintendo's most understated mascot.

With a lovely hand-drawn aesthetic and a modern, meticulous take on old-school design, Monster Boy is a smart and delightful game, both a fitting tribute and an exemplary example of the new breed of side-scrolling adventure games.

Mechstermination Force has a cutesy look but an unmistakably retro feel, and will speak to those who like to throw themselves at a challenge again and again until they understand it well enough to complete it blindfolded. The difficulty is balanced by some brilliant designs and an overall charming package that's much friendlier than the robots it houses.

Overall this game could be seen as a missed opportunity to flesh out what was — in 1999 — a quick but quirky followup to the more substantial RE3. But from the insane locations and intriguing characters to the stunning looks and satisfying action, this is a stellar game in its own right, and that can't be ignored.

Combined with the familiar and accessible action, the unexpected and delightful handmade stages in Yoshi's Crafted World not only give a new context for many old favourite Mario enemies and Nintendo ideas, they inspire a spark of childish creativity and wonder as well.

From entry to entry, the biannual Forza Motorsport series doesn't change a whole lot at its core. But this latest entry strips back some of the bloat, fixes some missteps of past games and pushes the envelope further than ever before when it comes to graphical proficiency.

Pikuniku is a game that's light on content but huge on charm and creativity. The locations and characters in the brief adventure mode are brilliant, the goofy physics make for grin-inducing platforming and the dedicated co-op mode has some of the funniest two-player puzzling since Snipperclips. You might be left wanting more, but it's hard to argue that what's here isn't pure joy.

With a kitschy clean presentation and a multicultural theme, Nintendo's 51 Worldwide Classics is a glossy and generous collection of tabletop standards and rainy day time wasters, perfect for a night in with the family.

Excited though I am for next year's fully-fledged Gen 7 Pokemon games, which will surely return wild battles and bring a slew of new monsters, Let's Go is a worthwhile adventure in its own right, and in fact I hope the main games benefit from some of innovations in this simpler but more modern experience. The original genius at the core of Pokemon — replacing the spreadsheets and stat charts of the standard RPG with cute creatures you nurture and grow — still shines through here, it's just in a form that anyone will be comfortable playing in 2018.

Excited though I am for next year's fully-fledged Gen 7 Pokemon games, which will surely return wild battles and bring a slew of new monsters, Let's Go is a worthwhile adventure in its own right, and in fact I hope the main games benefit from some of innovations in this simpler but more modern experience. The original genius at the core of Pokemon — replacing the spreadsheets and stat charts of the standard RPG with cute creatures you nurture and grow — still shines through here, it's just in a form that anyone will be comfortable playing in 2018.

Comprising the most complete version of the original retro minimalist masterpiece Mudds, its tough but fair sequel and the unremarkable but fun multiplayer puzzle game Mudd Blocks, Collection is an excellent value and a welcome return for the series to where it all started: a Nintendo handheld.

Trine 4 is an excellent refinement of a unique and worthwhile game with smarter controls, more satisfying multiplayer, heaps of great puzzles and a more magical look and sound than ever. It's still not perfect, but Trine has come a long way in 10 years and there really is nothing else like it.

Funny and inventive, free from challenge or punishments and with just enough content and collection to keep you engaged, Epic Yarn is one of the prettiest and finest stress-free platformers around. The 3DS version makes some sacrifices, but it's just as heart-warming.

Odyssey puts player freedom front and centre in a way the games never have before, while also taking in perhaps the most fun and gorgeous location we've seen so far.

The much-advertised fact that the world can move between different periods of video game history is hugely impressive and slickly executed, but it's in fact only one of this throwback's brilliant subversions. I won't spoil anything else here, but this is a relentlessly inventive game that turns out to be a lot more ambitious than it first appears.

Offering more of the same delicious, diabolical co-operative cooking that made 2016's Overcooked so amazing, the sequel adds new kitchens, new dishes, new chefs and a whole lot of new reasons to do that thing where you scream in frustration and laughter at the same time. With even more friendship-testing challenges and hilarious culinary cock-ups, this is a welcome second course, even if it doesn't stray very far from the original game's recipe.

Like a playable painting of ink and pigment, GRIS is a powerful and significant game, even if the visual art often overshadows the actual play.

The creatures themselves remain the coolest and most interesting part of the Pokemon games, so it’s always wonderful to explore their natural habitats purely for observation rather than for poaching and battles. New Pokemon Snap is an extended and ever-changing expedition through an enchanting world, with limited interactivity but plenty of opportunity for surprise and delight.

Varied play modes such as tag and survival, plus countless unlockable items, add further appeal. But the lack of new moves or characters is disappointing.

Considering the extremely fast response times needed for a fighting game, it's amazing how smoothly the online mode plays. It's just as responsive as it would be if you were playing with a pal sitting next to you, which is an astounding achievement.

Exploring the labyrinthine citadel is rewarding, although backtracking and frequent deaths can be frustrating.

Mario Tennis Aces is a lot of fun and probably the most technically sound arcade tennis ever. I only wish its options and modes were as deep as its mechanics.

Far from just a V8 simulation, this is a celebration of all motor sport, featuring an amazing 15 racing styles, 32 championships and 49 tracks from around the globe. It has something for everyone.

Life Stories is very successful in widening the Sims audience even further. Just remember that experienced Sims players should look elsewhere, as they will romp through the challenges with ease and sorely miss the depth of customisation options and add-on packs of The Sims 2.

Fall Guys is an exhilarating online competition you can enjoy in bite-sized chunks; a distillation of the joy and accomplishment present in other battle royale games without the violence or high skill requirement. There are some fumbles, but it has the potential to grow.

The dialogue and plot are as cheesy as the pizza Dante gobbles while slicing baddies but the presentation is astonishing.

Surprisingly, there is plenty of freedom for tactical experimentation. An occasionally wayward camera and the inability to save mid-mission can annoy but the reward of new firepower and the chance to improve your mission grades keep you playing.

Although there is no online play, deep and lengthy modes such as Season, Franchise and Dream Team will keep you busy.

A hilarious, inexpensive and highly competitive party favour.

Our favourite move isn't actually documented in the game's manual but if you do a little net search you'll find a way to force your foes to turn their rifles on themselves.

A remake of a much-loved 1987 relic, Pirates is incredibly charming. Its simplicity belies the game's surprising depth and addictiveness.

This is a stunningly successful modernisation of the franchise, a beautiful representation of one of the most engrossing societies in history and great story. The old bones of the Assassin's Creed series are definitely here, but for the most part the game's been reinvigorated with RPG mechanics and a more thoughtful, exploration-based style.

A glorified Tamagotchi, but infinitely cuter and more appealing.

Much of the game's undeniable thrill stems from the giddy car handling, which enables players to slide gracefully around corners at ridiculous speed.

Bonus mini-games have the most long-term appeal, particularly a sublime version of darts.

The only thing more fun than watching Hulk cut loose is actually being the one controlling his every outburst. Ultimate Destruction is a rare comic-to-game adaptation that perfectly captures the Marvel comic style.

For fans of CoD online, the enhanced multiplayer experience alone is worth the admission price. We'd go so far as to say it's shaping up to be one of the year's best multiplayer games.

The addition of smart and relentless police pursuers has reinvigorated this popular driving series.

The story is engaging, enhanced by terrific characters, pleasing animation and memorable tunes. It's a pity there are not more puzzles to solve.

Tight controls, inventive action scenes and solid artificial intelligence all combine to make the single-player mode an excellent experience.

The PS2 version is a little less realistic than the Xbox and lacks the latter's first-person view. It also suffers from a lot of graphic pop up, while the Xbox's graphics are much more detailed. But the Xbox pays a price for these lush visuals with an iffy frame rate.

The difficulty level accommodates younger players, thanks to effortless controls, but new Master Thief challenges will test even experienced bandits.

Kirby's use of touch-screen technology provides a fresh and engaging game.

While so many retro revivals either just give the original game a coat of paint or completely remake it from the ground up, this is a return that feels like a perfect middle ground. On the one hand it does allow for some of the less good parts of the classic design to shine through (especially in the original game), but on the other hand the commitment to accuracy works to preserve a series that remains incredibly influential and often overlooked. Combined with smart touch-ups and a beautiful modern presentation, this is a blast for old Crash pros and newcomers alike.

Despite Gotham's obliging nature, high-speed thrills and gorgeous graphical sheen, it's hard not to feel that we have seen its best tricks before.

Not as essential as the PS2 version, but terrific ball-rolling fun that you can enjoy anywhere you go.

The fact that it's got the deepest story ever seen in a fighter simply adds to the realistic feel of the brutal combat within.

Without a doubt, the best tennis game you can get your hands on at the moment. If only it came with a set of sweat bands.

The hellish enemies may be fearsome, but the one true villain here is the stubborn game camera that tends to pan away from whatever it is you want to look at. Apart from that one flaw, this is an absorbing tale.

Winning solo tournaments can be frustrating due to difficulty spikes, but treats to unlock include additional characters, gimmick courts and amusing mini-games to help hone your skills.