Despite its adorableness, BUBBLE BOBBLE Sugar Dungeons is one of the toughest games that you'll ever play; think Spelunker but even more unforgiving. However, if you're willing to stick to it, you'll end up having a great time mastering its oodles of content.

If it had more effort put into its sound and visual effects, StarLightRiders: HyperJump would have been a pretty good little shmup.

Schildmaid MX turns shmup action on its head with its cool shield mechanic and I highly recommend it if you enjoy aiming for high scores.

My gaming chum and I had a lot of fun with the clever amount of variety in All Hands on Deck but it's certainly not a smooth experience.

Experimenting with Nightmare: The Lunatic's weapons, builds, and options make it one supremely enjoyable and customisable action game.

Remnants of the Rift is one of the best unconventional strategic experiences out there so definitely play it if you want something different.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is an impressive experience that will stay with you for a very long time. As you gradually unwrap its intricate game world that's packed with some of the best stage designs ever, the sense of accomplishment is simply unmatched.

My gaming chum and I had a wonderful time with MARVEL Cosmic Invasion so if you enjoy beat 'em ups then playing this gem of a game is a must. In fact, I think I'll put a little cape on my physical copy when it arrives in March.

Secrets of Blackrock Manor - Escape Room is a short and enjoyable virtual rendition of the classic escape room formula. It can be quite tricky and rewarding but some aspects could be streamlined to improve the overall experience.

Keeper is one of the most unique and captivating games that you'll ever play. With so many unexplained otherworldly sights, you'll feel like you visited some strange yet beautiful alien planet that you'll think fondly back on long after the credits roll.

Baseless is one of the best indie games of the year with its unconventional and well thought-out gameplay complete with many facets that'll keep you pushing your skills further and further. It looks lovely to boot and how cute are those scarves?

You can't go wrong with Demonschool if you're looking for a school experience that's a bit like Persona and a bit like a GBA Fire Emblem game.

R-Type Delta: HD Boosted is an absolute gem of a shoot 'em up that's near and dear to my heart but holy hot darn, will it make you want to rip your hair out so make sure you bring plenty of patience and it'll end up being a supremely rewarding experience.

HELLO KITTY AND FRIENDS: FREEZE TAG PARTY is just so cute and fun to play that even with its simple formula and limited environments, it ends up being a wonderful little shindig that's surprisingly hard to put down.

There's a lot of fun to be had with PAW Patrol Rescue Wheels: Championship and all of its delightful characters and lovely courses to race through. But, just like its soundtrack, it's bound to get repetitive sooner or later.

Kirby Air Riders is so full of variety, hearty challenges, and pure joy that I highly recommend it to anyone who relishes unconventional gaming experiences. Plus, its online component is so well implemented that it may just be my new go-to game for multiplayer fun.

If you want to chill as you scan super-cute dioramas for differences then you'll have a wonderful time with the delightful Tiny Lands 2.

Descending through the chaotic 2D stages of CLAWPUNK will make you feel like one badass feline, especially when you start achieving S-ranks.

With its ingenious collection of varied stages, charming retro visuals, and challenging shooting gameplay, Silver Bullet is a real hoot for sure.

No matter how you play Neon Inferno, you're bound to have a great time thanks to its stellar gameplay and modern retro-inspired aesthetic.

Cutting your way through Majogami will make you feel like one stylish ninja as you soar through stunning stages on your path to victory.

It's very clear that the clever strategic implementation and stand-out visuals in Deathless. The Hero Quest make it one high quality roguelike.

If you're a fan of twin-stick shooters then you have to play Sektori as it's one of the best representations of the genre in modern gaming.

SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide feels like a '00s-era 3D platformer in many ways and its sense of variety and constant fun with impressively intricate stage designs made me quite happy. It can be glitchy and confusing, though, so keep that in mind.

Syberia - Remastered is a classic adventure game and this new iteration certainly delivers a unique clockpunk aesthetic that the series is known for. It's still difficult to move around and there are bugs but if you're a fan of adventure games, you'll be happy to play this.

With the core games being as stellar as they are, the fact that Atelier Ryza Secret Trilogy Deluxe Pack has so many additions, refinements, and included DLC is just awesome. This may very well be the most jam-packed RPG trilogy in all of gaming and it's all just so delightful.

PAC-MAN WORLD 2 Re-PAC - Sonic the Hedgehog Collaboration is perhaps the most enjoyable DLC crossover that I've ever played. With so much content, collectibles, and challenges that are set in such beautifully designed stages, this is more than enough to delight any gamer.

Atari 50: THE NAMCO LEGENDARY PACK is one of the best retro expansions out there with its historical value and selection of console ports.

Harvest Moon: Home Sweet Home Special Edition is a disappointing farming sim that doesn't do much to keep you coming back. There are many better games out there that deserve your attention including The Winds of Anthos so ignore this and go pick that up.

Possessor(s) is one of the most unconventional Metroidvanias that I've played thanks to its visceral dystopian world and focus on equipment-based combat that rewards experimentation, practice, and patience much more than brute force. Now, that's clever and quite cool indeed.

Lumines Arise is one of my favourite puzzle games of all time with classic gameplay and flashy new visuals that really pop in VR. Whether you're new to these games or not, you're bound to adore what's in store, especially if you enjoy achieving higher and higher scores.

Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth3 V GENERATION is a mostly familiar experience, especially if you're coming fresh off Re;Birth2 yet it still provides one charming and hilarious adventure that beautifully ties up the original trilogy.

Tales of Xillia Remastered is one of my personal favourite Tales games so if you're a fellow fan, this version contains plenty of quality of life upgrades that definitely make it worth getting so you can spend even more time with Milla and Jude.

Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth2 SISTERS GENERATION is an improved sequel that modern fans may have missed out on back in the day so it's wonderful that it was re-released for PS4 in the west. If you want some lighthearted RPG fun, you'll love what's in store.

The fact that Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1+ released in the west after the superior remake Neptunia ReVerse may be baffling but there's no denying that it's a wonderful trip back to the past that dedicated fans will thoroughly enjoy.

The Lonesome Guild is one of my favourite indie games of the year with its heartfelt story, well-balanced blend of action and puzzles, and delightful visuals that beautifully tie it all together. You're sure to think fondly back on your adventure for years to come.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is simply a joy to play with oodles of well-implemented familiar elements for fans, gorgeous graphics, and a constantly rewarding sense of variety that'll leave you experimenting right until the very end.

NBA BOUNCE is a super-fun and very simple basketball game that's easy to enjoy for everyone with its intuitive gameplay and cute graphics that are made even more endearing by the playable and adorable interpretations of each team's mascot; very cool.

Biped 2 continues the trend of offering top-notch co-op puzzle platforming fun that its delightfully unexpected predecessor provided in spades. With its funky fresh feeling of constant variety and consistently lovely sights and sounds, it's certainly worth checking out.

My gaming chum and I had a lot of fun with Chicken Run: Eggstraction, especially thanks to its top-notch presentation that represents the franchise in a phenomenally authentic way. Its gameplay can be frustrating, yes, but it's still rewarding stuff at the end of the day.

I had a load of fun with FULL METAL SCHOOLGIRL, especially with its absolutely hilarious sense of humour that constantly made me chuckle. Please don't judge it by its silly title as it presents one over-the-top action-packed laugh-out-loud commentary on modern worklife.

Long-time fans of adventure games will relish everything that Simon the Sorcerer Origins has to offer so be sure to play it if you're a fellow point-and-click veteran. Sure, genre newcomers may frequently scratch their heads but even they'll have a fun time in the end.

DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake is another faithfully remade package full of the traditional turn-based RPG fun that defined the genre back in the day so if you enjoyed the remake of Dragon Quest III, you will certainly enjoy this collection, too.

Bounty Star is one of the most impressive games of the year with its unique and entertaining mech combat as well as its more personal touches that'll make you feel a strong sense of personal growth as you complete bounty after bounty.

There's a lot of frantic fun packed into GODBREAKERS, especially if you enjoy experimenting with playstyles and enemy abilities. It may be a little limiting of an experience but there's enough entertainment to be had that I still recommend it.

The blend of horror, detective work, and an arcade feel surely make CAPTURED one of the most unique games you can enjoy over Halloween.

Fans of old-school first-person shooters will have a ridiculous amount of fun with Forgive Me Father 2 and it's a great fit for Halloween.

My gaming chum and I had a blast with Trasmoz Legends' authentic retro presentation and intricate score-chasing gameplay mechanics.

Old-school Zelda fans will find a lot to love about Spindle so if those kinds of games appeal to you then definitely play it, chum.

Although it can be an exceptionally frustrating and unintuitive game, Bye Sweet Carole is still gorgeous and its puzzles can be quite satisfying.

The super-rewarding gameplay of Gloomy Eyes is brought to new heights with its thought-provoking story and exceptionally detailed visuals.

The always-eerie game world within Little Nightmares III will get stuck in your head for days after you put it down; it's great stuff.

Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted has not only stood the test of time with its uniquely entertaining core gameplay, its gardenful of extra modes and fruitful multiplayer content will keep you coming back for hours of pea-shooting fun.

Once Upon A KATAMARI takes one of the most unique and enjoyable formulas in gaming history and makes it even more fun thanks to its many elements that add up to one cleverly quirky era-spanning adventure.

Exploring the intricate world within ILA: A Frosty Glide is certainly delightful, especially with its colourful charm and laidback gameplay.

With its retro aesthetic and tightly intuitive Survivors-like gameplay, Halls of Torment really packs a punch that'll satisfy any genre fan.

BALL x PIT combines so many distinct elements while creating such a unique and enjoyable formula that it's incredibly hard to put down.

Soldner-X: Himmelssturmer is a classic shoot 'em up through-and-through so if you still haven't played it yet, definitely check it out.

I'm very happy that Lumo 2 exists and if you're part of its very specific audience, you'll adore the diverse old-school adventure that it offers.

I had great fun with GROOVE COASTER FUTURE PERFORMERS, especially with how different it feels to its predecessor; it fills me with energy.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Borderlands 4 and although it doesn't reinvent the series, it provides a formula that fans will appreciate while newcomers will surely be impressed by the frantic co-op online multiplayer zaniness.

Digimon Story Time Stranger excels in a lot of ways, especially with its ridiculous amount of Digimon that are great fun to experiment with. Although I'm a newbie to the series, I must admit that this lovely RPG adventure made me a fan.

Ghost of Yotei provides an exceptionally impressive adventure that any fan of open-world action games will adore. All of its many elements come together wonderfully and it's all wrapped up in such gorgeous visuals that you'll remember the journey for years to come.

It's awesome that shoot 'em ups as unique and enjoyable as RANDOMAX are releasing all the way in 2025 and the dev's passion really shows.

As a cute and simple game, Candy Rangers is certainly a charmer but it doesn't do anything beyond the very basics to get its hooks in you.

Jelly Troops is a very simple game that you can enjoy with an online or local friend but keep in mind, its replay value can be severely limited.

I had some fun with the characterful SONIC WINGS REUNION but it definitely doesn't live up to its iconic 2D shoot 'em up predecessors.

Dreams of Another may seem like it has a clever gameplay premise but it gets monotonous very fast. You might enjoy its clever story, though.

Juggling attacks and skills as you gradually make it further through its variety of stunning environments makes Absolum one rewarding brawler.

From its brilliant cast of characters to its incredibly rewarding strategic battles, Battle Suit Aces is one stellar story-based indie.

Yooka-Replaylee is full of lighthearted platforming goodness that keeps it old-school while also managing to feel fresh. If you're a genre fan or simply want to explore and complete fun challenges at your own pace, you absolutely need Yooka and Laylee in your life.

Hades II is exactly what you'd expect from a much-refined sequel and even though it's been 5 years since the original, you'll be immediately drawn back into the iconic action-packed gameplay, especially thanks to its unique combat foundations.

Disgaea 7 Complete takes an already great game and offers oodles of DLC, some nice extras, and an exceptional portable experience. So, if you love SRPGs then this is one expansive package that you'll want to add to your collection.

Despite my criticisms, Hollow Knight: Silksong is a great game with a huge world and it's going to be a long journey to finish it 100% if I ever feel like doing so. However, I cannot recommend it if you're bad at platformers or action games because you'll be in for a very rough time.

I had so much fun with QQQbeats!!! that I didn't want to put it down to write this review but I'm glad that I did because I can now tell all my chums just how great of a game it is. So, yes, if you enjoy puzzle and rhythm games, you need to play this.

Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 are a couple of the best 3D platformers ever and this brand new Switch release is the optimal way to experience them so whether you're a long-time fan or have never played them before, they'll surely send your fun meter to outer space.

It's amazing that a pinball game featuring just one table could be as consistently exciting as XENOTILT is so definitely check it out, chum.

Blasting your way through the ever-emerging ships as you listen to your favourite tunes makes Beat Hazard Arcade an incredibly fun shooter.

Earthion is a modern shoot 'em up throwback that does an exceptional job of embodying what made the 16-bit era so special for the genre.

It may not look like a super-tough shoot 'em up but Platypus Reclayed definitely is and it's so much fun that you'll want to master every stage.

With its unconventional approach, tight arcade shooting gameplay, and charming anime presentation, I absolutely love Mamorukun ReCurse.

It's great that Puzzle Quest: Immortal Edition is here to liven up the classic indie with slick visuals and oodles of accumulated content.

If you get invited to LEGO Party! then be sure to go because with its incredibly entertaining mini-games and commentators that'll make you crack up as you explore its jam-packed super-silly boards, this is one funky fresh shindig that you won't soon forget.

If you have a big heart, love cuteness, and want to be immersed in a bubbly game world teeming with upstanding welcoming characters then Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian is an RPG that you have to play even if it can be a bit simple gameplay-wise.

PAC-MAN WORLD 2 Re-PAC is one of the best 3D platformer remakes and a superb example of the genre from a simpler time. There's just so much Pac'd in here that you can spend hours upon hours and still discover new goodies and fun challenges.

FINAL FANTASY TACTICS - The Ivalice Chronicles takes an already incredible SRPG and makes it even better with plenty of modern niceties and full voice acting. Hey, you can finally learn how to pronounce the characters' names and that's worth it alone.

Agatha Christie - Death on the Nile is a funky fresh twist on the classic novel that presents 2 very different but intertwining storylines and a variety of elaborate puzzles. If you're a fan of detective games at all then you can't miss this one.

SILENT HILL f is one of the best survival horror games out there with its constant surprises, pitch-perfect game worlds, and exceptional blend of combat and puzzles; sometimes, both at the exact same time.

Cladun X3 is a super-customisable action RPG that boasts plenty of small dungeons and intuitive combat. The need to grind and micromanage everything can be a bit much but the lively spirit of it all is still sure to make you smile as you play.

Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree is a roguelike where the more you play it, the better it gets. With so much variety in its combat thanks to an awesome cast of characters and flashy unlockable spells, those who love to experiment will be downright hooked.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds features some of the best track variety in the genre as well as a visceral driving experience that has you seamlessly take to the skies, water, and road. If you love kart racers, it's an absolute must-play.

If you love a hearty challenge as much as I do and have a fondness for arcade-style shooters, you'll absolutely adore ZOE Begone.

Dunkadillo is such a cute and fun 2D platformer that makes the simple act of bouncing a challenge that'll keep you trying again and again.

I had a great time with Tiny Witch and for such a cute game, it certainly doesn't mess around so if you love optimising efficiency, check it out.

If you enjoy nonsensical silliness and making a mess then Henry Halfhead is a wonderfully curious little game that you need to play.

HYKE:Northern Light(s) is a super-fun action RPG that does a great job of providing a variety of gameplay via its unique character abilities. The maze-like dungeons are challenging and rewarding for sure but I wish there was more to the game world elsewhere.

I can't believe how much better Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter looks, sounds, and plays compared to the original. It may not be as epic as some of the more recent games but what's here is certainly charming and satisfying enough for any RPG fan to easily fall in love with it.

LEGO Voyagers is an unforgettably lovely co-op adventure that's filled with heart, rewarding puzzles, and light platforming. It can be frustrating and a bit tedious at times but overall, there's so much variety and fun to be had that I still highly recommend playing it.