Habroxia 2 is a modern gamer's idea of what retro shoot 'em ups were like but it's far removed from what made the genre special.

Time Loader is a wonderful game that's set in a beautifully-presented miniature world. It may have some gameplay issues later in its campaign but the amount of fun that you'll have unraveling the story as you solve puzzles still makes for a good time overall.

DC's Justice League: Cosmic Chaos is a silly lighthearted game that's intuitive for kids, hilarious for folks of all ages, and fairly fun to boot. Just make sure you don't get it for its multiplayer mode because you'll likely be disappointed with what it has to offer.

Backpack Hero is a novel game that can be enjoyable at first but its awkward controls and repetitive dungeons get stale rather quickly.

Ufouria: The Saga 2 is a must-play for any 2D platformer fan whether you played the original or not; it's that good and hilarious to boot.

SaGa Emerald Beyond is a wonderful RPG for anyone who loves experiencing multiple worlds and stories while partaking in incredibly gratifying encounters against imaginative enemies. This is the sort of game that we need more of.

If you love 8-bit tunes and want to hear a wide variety of awesome compositions as you play silly mini-games, this is one great collection.

With a more gameplay-focused and varied campaign as well as a phenomenally unforgettable cast of stand-out characters, The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II really scratched a lot of itches for me that I didn't even know I had. Or was that Nadia's needles?

It's great how Scott Pilgrim EX balances intuitive gameplay with its many clever mechanics to make for a diverse yet streamlined experience.

Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta is a great action RPG that has stood the test of time and this Day 1 Edition is a superb treasure trove of goodies that any Ys fan will cherish for years to come.

Call of the Elder Gods is a tough adventure puzzler that follows in the footsteps of the first game while expanding the memorable cast, story, and locations to create another enjoyable mystery that unfolds in unexpected ways.

The fact that it's still fun to play over two decades after its initial release is a testament to Windjammers' quality base mechanics. It's a classic case of good gameplay being more important than graphical improvements. The short arcade mode and barebones offline versus component make it feel somewhat limited but it's still worth picking up for a quick blast of nostalgic arcade sports action.

When it comes to multiplayer fun, you can't do much better than Super Mario Party. The variety of modes and mini-games is so phenomenal that you'll gladly boot it up whenever you have friends or family over. That is, until Super Mario Party 2 releases.

If you're looking for a wacky and colourful competitive puzzler that can be enjoyed by casual and hardcore gamers alike then Sushi Striker is a solid experience. Just don't expect it to be as fulfilling as consuming 100 plates of raw fish.

If you're looking for a captivating story set in an immersive world then Masquerada: Songs and Shadows is sure to satisfy. However, as an RPG, it simply doesn't provide enough rewarding gameplay to delight genre fans.

2017 has been a phenomenal year for gaming so far and I must say that Flinthook is up there with the best. It'll put you on the edge of your seat and keep you wanting more so if it sounds like your kind of game then you owe it to yourself to give it a download.

Multiple difficulties and optional areas to explore give Momodora a bit of additional replay value after you complete the five to six hour long campaign. Despite being designed with a 4:3 aspect ratio and therefore having black bars on the sides of the screen, those who appreciate retro pixel art visuals should get a kick out of the gorgeous environments and layers of parallax scrolling. Most importantly, almost everyone will enjoy Momodora's smooth combat and fun exploration.

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.

Ever Oasis has a charming, varied, and colourful world to explore with many characters who join you on your journey to safeguard your newfound home once and for all. If you're a fan of action-packed adventures, you can't go wrong with this adorable pocket-sized tale.

As far as atmospheric 2D puzzle-solving adventure games go, 7th Sector offers a mostly middle-of-the-road experience.

The 7th Guest VR is not only an excellent Halloween game, it's one of the best PSVR2 games released so far. I highly recommend it.

As someone who loves variety in their co-op games, SUPER CRAZY RHYTHM CASTLE impressed me a great deal with what it has to offer.

Shift DX is a portable puzzler that fans of the genre shouldn't pass up on. It may be lacking in some aspects yet the addictive reality-altering gameplay will keep you hooked until you complete its massive campaign and the level editor is great for creative types.

Mighty Gunvolt Burst is an overall fun and fitting tribute to retro 2D action games that stars two recent heroes in the genre. Although you won't be playing it for years to come, it's still a worthwhile entry in one of the most classic genres in gaming.

Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2 brought me back to the glory days of anime fighters and made me excited for what the future has in store for the genre. With so much content and visceral combat that's exciting to simply watch, it's one superb fighter.

Seeing as it debuted in 1992, it's surprising that Puyo Puyo hasn't evolved much since its humble beginnings yet it's still great fun.

When it comes to monstrous arcade action, few games are as fun as Dawn of the Monsters with its varied gameplay and tight controls.

I'm delighted that Marble It Up! Ultra continues the trend that its predecessors set as it's one super-fun formula that'll keep you hooked.

I love how Card-en-Ciel combines characters from Inti Creates' games into one strategic campaign that's impressively tough to put down.

My gaming chum and I had a blast working through the intricate puzzle-filled stages of Escape Academy and I'm sure you will, too.

Assault Suits Valken DECLASSIFIED is a port of an incredibly fun retro 2D action game with oodles of extras to boot. It may just be one game that you can complete within an hour but it's a darn fun one that any old-school gamer would love to have in their collection.

At the end of the day, Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is a solid retro-inspired action game that does a good job of offering a satisfying albeit brief campaign. You could definitely do a lot worse but there is substantial room for improvement, that's for sure.

The Evil Within 2 is a tense and challenging game that still manages to remain accessible. The addition of open-world exploration is a huge success and it helps to create an overall excellent action-filled survival horror experience.

Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden is an ambitious take on XCOM but it simply doesn't do enough with the established formula to make a worthwhile campaign. That being said, it definitely has some amazing visuals and cool stealth mechanics.

I'm happy to be able to play through a great dungeon crawler again on newer hardware and with some cosmetic additions. However, I can only fully recommend getting void tRrLM();++ //Void Terrarium++ if you don't already own the original iteration.

Rise of the Ronin is a great action-packed open-world experience that starts very strong but as time goes on, it definitely starts to become repetitious; mostly due to its lack of variety and memorable boss fights. It's still generally a lot of fun, though.

When it comes to laid back delightful fun, Pikuniku provides a top-notch adventure that'll keep your toes tapping as you journey forth.

When it comes to SRPGs, Wasteland 2: Director's Cut offers a rewarding survival-based campaign that'll delight hardcore fans of the genre. However, a few nagging issues bog down this otherwise fantastic experience.

WarioWare: Get It Together is as random and frantic as you would expect a character-driven entry in the long-running series to be. However, you may not expect just how fun it is to play with a friend and that's where its gameplay shines brightest.

You'll definitely have fun with Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster if you're a fan of JRPGs and don't mind dark subject matter. The dungeon-crawling and battle system provide a solid level of challenge and the gameplay stays interesting throughout. However, the lack of visual detail and poor music quality will constantly remind you that you're merely playing a remaster of a PS2 game.

Tiny Tina's Wonderlands is a quirky and silly looter shooter that simply doesn't distinguish itself enough from the mainline Borderlands games. It's still a lot of fun, though, especially when you play with friends.

I'm having a wonderful time with WILD HEARTS and I can't wait to take on more monsters with online folks as I have a few tricks that I'd like to show off. Overall, this is a phenomenally fun and fully-featured monster-hunting game that I'm sure you'll love.

As the first piece of DLC for Marvel's Spider-Man, The Heist offers a few exciting story missions and some very cool extras. That being said, it's very short-lived and the fact that it ends on a cliffhanger is sure to annoy many fans.

Victor Vran: Overkill Edition is chock full of action RPG goodness that'll delight any genre fan for dozens of hours. Its core gameplay may get a little repetitive but what's here amounts to a surprisingly varied and enjoyable collection of content.

As survival games go, The Flame in the Flood is accessible and a good introduction to the genre. While it has several roguelike elements, it includes checkpoints on its easier "Traveler" difficulty that removes the sting of permadeath. Prepare for an enjoyable trip down-river but count on spending time learning the ins and outs before you start to find success.

Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX is a solid iteration of a classic shoot 'em up which will always remain one of my favourites thanks to its incredible gameplay and action-packed campaign that'll keep you glued to the screen. Plus, there are oodles of extras which is great.

Jydge is another entry in 10tons line of competent twin-stick shooters. The robust upgrade system and loadout options are its best features but the campaign is dragged down a bit by a lack of unique levels and being forced to replay them multiple times.

While definitely rough around the edges, I thoroughly enjoyed Penny's Big Breakaway. There is a lot to get out of its levels whether it's a faster time, higher score, or all of its collectibles but I don't even need a specific reason to play through them again because controlling Penny is entertaining enough in and of itself. If you're looking for a fun and fast 3D platformer then look no further.

I love that Nintendo is upgrading a bunch of their Switch games for their new console and if Super Mario Party Jamboree - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV is any indication, we're in for some real delightful treats down the road.

Pode is a solid cooperative experience but its frustrating aspects unfortunately hold it back from being a great game. That being said, if you can't get enough cute co-op adventures then you certainly won't regret at least giving it a try.

Pac-Man 99 is not only an excellent battle royale game; it's also a lovely homage to all things Namco with tons of charming themes to play with. Throw in some clever single player challenge modes and you're left with one impressive package.

If it featured a variety of vehicles and more tracks, Formula Retro Racing would be a fantastic game for fans of early '90s racers.

RAD is the sort of roguelike that's enjoyable once everything starts to click but after that, repetition and frustration unfortunately rear their ugly mutated heads. It's still a fun game but one that you'll likely only pick up and play every once in a while.

Prelude to the Fallen is a solid introduction to the Utawarerumono universe so if simple SRPG battles and visual novels appeal to you then this is one game that you'll definitely want to play.

Rune Factory 3 Special is an attractive upgrade to the DS original and I had fun exploring its dungeons, upgrading my tools, farming, and wooing my future wife. However, its issues with inventory management, lack of gender and marriage options, and a rather limited set of dungeons make it a middling (but still good) Rune Factory game overall.

First-person shooting and VR seem to go hand-in-hand. Thankfully, the arcade style of Evasion as well as its solid execution and unique gameplay mechanics make it one of the most enjoyable games that fit this description.

I'm thoroughly impressed with Wavetale as it completely surpassed my expectations by being one of the most beautifully captivating indies that I've ever played. Even though it's a tad short, I can definitely see myself playing through it again and again.

Although it isn't as flashy as its inspirations, Peglin provides an enjoyable roguelike formula that makes fighting monsters entertaining.

Mary Skelter: Nightmares is one of the most delightful and impressive RPGs that I've played in a long time. Both old-school dungeon crawler fans and those curious about the genre definitely have a bloody enjoyable adventure ahead of them.

Unit 4 is a challenging and unique platformer that serves up a varied and satisfying campaign. That being said, if you don't have the patience to deal with plenty of unfair deaths then you're better off waiting for Unit 5 to come out.

.hack//G.U. Last Recode shines in its engaging story, eclectic cast of characters, and unique ability to handle the concept of a game within a game. In the end, I would recommend it to JRPG fans who are looking for a unique universe to explore as long as they're prepared for generic dungeon crawling and a less than stellar combat system.

The Wonderful 101: Remastered is indeed wonderful with its action-packed campaign and highly enjoyable gameplay. As if that's not enough, there's an underlying message that I'm sure we could all use right now.

Asterigos: Curse of the Stars offers an enjoyable formula with exploration and combat that'll keep you hooked as you forge your way ahead. With that in mind, it could certainly use a clearer sense of direction even if it was implemented via an accessibility option.

Tentacular is one of those VR games that's just as fun to play properly as it is to mess around like a lunatic so whether your attention span is active or not, you're going to have a lot of laughs with this super-silly tentacle simulator.

Ritual of Raven is a charming farming sim with a strong emphasis on the quests and story side of the equation with clever puzzles to boot.

I'm obsessed with this remastered collection of the first 3 Tomb Raider games as it does an amazing job of bringing the action-adventure classics back to life with a big graphical overhaul while maintaining absolutely everything that make the games so much fun.

Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania is essentially a good-looking remake of Super Monkey Ball Deluxe with some nifty extras which is cool because that's an excellent game to bring back. So, if you're itching to master tricky levels then this package is sure to scratch.

Fae Farm is one fun farming sim with tons to keep you busy for many in-game months as well as a large world to explore beyond the farm. The only thing it's missing is a substantial family system so pick it up if you're more into the farming and adventuring side of things.

Infinite Minigolf is an entertaining and easy to pick up and play arcade-like experience that's mostly driven by user-created content. It may be enjoyable for a little while but the amount of fun to be had is far from infinite.

Very few dungeon crawlers are as rewarding as Mary Skelter 2. Even with its few easily forgivable flaws, its supremely satisfying gameplay shines through while its cast of characters remains charming even though they inhabit such a twisted world.

RAILGRADE is a superb sim that acts more like a logic puzzle game in many of its more elaborate scenarios. So, if you enjoy tinkering with routes and managing resources for optimal efficiency then you'll have a great time with this choo-choo.

There certainly isn't much variety in SteamWorld Dig. Whereas the sequel is full of awesome things to see and do, this debut title feels flat in comparison. All you do is mine and dig over and over again. There are puzzle rooms that reward you with bonuses once you figure them out and secret areas to uncover but there's not nearly enough to make up for the simple core gameplay.

Simply put; Iron Crypticle is a blast to play and it's even more fun with friends. So, if the idea of an action-packed medieval-themed twin-stick shooter appeals to you then what are you waiting for? Give it a download and call up some pals.

Although I enjoyed my time with Code Vein, it could definitely use some work to live up to its genre contemporaries. With that said, if you're a fan of action RPGs then you'll find a lot to sink your vampiric teeth into here.

I wish that Arcade Paradise VR tightened up the campaign a lot more because its slow burn simply doesn't work as well in VR.

With its boring initial stages out of the way, Breakout Beyond really amps up the fun factor with its clever use of power-ups and gimmicks.

Superhot VR is an absolutely fantastic experience that'll provide thrills for almost any gamer. That being said, the limited replay value and its many irritating aspects may make you wish that you took the blue pill instead.

Playing The Jackbox Party Pack 7 is like smelling a fart after a delicious meal. You'll be reminded of good times but it definitely stinks.

MultiVersus is a solid Smash Bros. clone that's definitely promising, especially with its distinctly-playing characters and flexible gameplay. It may currently be slightly underwhelming in some regards but I'm looking forward to seeing how this project evolves over time.

Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit does nearly everything it can to offer a commendably fun-filled AR racing experience. Although it has its inherent limitations, it's definitely a novel concept with a lot of promise, especially if you want to create your own real-life courses.

The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails brought me back to the wonderful PSP days and for that, I feel indebted to this fantastic gem from that era. Throw in excellent gameplay, an undeniably charming world, and oodles of cleverly designed levels and you're left with one great action RPG. Just keep in mind that its story is nowhere near as epic as the Trails in its title may lead you to believe.

Out of the hundreds of shoot 'em ups that I've played in my decades of gaming, I can easily say that Ginga Force is one of the best. Its combination of skill-testing stages, rewarding customisation, and lively presentation make it one must-have shmup.

Mario Tennis Aces retains the enjoyable core gameplay of the series while ushering in plenty of fresh and exciting mechanics. It could definitely use more content outside its cool Adventure mode but what's here is still a racket-smashing good time.

It may look like just another 2D platformer yet Unruly Heroes provides challenging and unique gameplay that'll keep you hooked.

I had a solid time with Paper Trail but it definitely becomes tedious once you realise that its core gameplay is actually rather simplistic.

I found Voice of Cards: The Forsaken Maiden's story to be stronger than the first's yet when it comes to gameplay; it doesn't do much to make it feel fresh. It has me wondering how many of these titles there will be and how well future installments will hold up.

Considering that currently, less than half of players beat level 1, you know that Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn is one brutal game.

Just when I thought Earth Defense Force was becoming stale, World Brothers came along and renewed my faith in the franchise. Its bright voxel visuals act as the perfect reflection of its improved and varied gameplay as well as its excellent sense of humour.

Visions of Mana is a whimsical adventure that's filled with character and beautiful sights. I took great pleasure in traversing its colourful world and even though it doesn't do anything particularly revolutionary, it's sure to melt your heart as you play.

If you love the 16-bit era as much as I do then purchasing Sega Genesis Classics should be mandatory. With loads of must-have games and hidden gems, you're bound to spend hours upon hours reliving one of the best eras in gaming history.

There are many relaxing games out there and Lumini doesn't really offer much new but it is a beautiful game with superb audio to boot.

Descenders is one of those rare games that procedural generation makes it less fun. I wish it was a fine-tuned experience instead.

Even with its retro baggage, Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny is an undeniably great game that fleshes out the original's formula very well and in some unexpected ways to boot. Plus, it looks excellent with its redone visuals so you're bound to have a lot of fun slaying demons.

When it comes to twin-stick shooting, Tesla vs Lovecraft definitely has a solid foundation that's a ton of fun. However, the limited scope of what you can do limits the experience and ends up making it feel repetitive after only a short while.

I had a blast with ChainStaff in all of its disgustingly gruesome action-packed glory; it's indie 2D action at its most ridiculous and I love it.

A Rose in the Twilight's dark and atmospheric tone contrasts well with the budding story of friendship between two unlikely individuals but it's the well-crafted and clever puzzles built on just a few simple mechanics that make it a must-play for any puzzle game fan.

Sherlock Holmes The Awakened is a rewarding investigative experience with familiar gameplay that has you play as both Sherlock and Watson as they follow the phenomenon of Cthulhu around the world while fighting to keep their sanity. Although it's smaller in scope than the previous title and is lacking in terms of side-quests, it's still a fun journey and is presented beautifully to boot.

Typoman: Revised isn't afraid to test your wits and word descrambling abilities as well as your grasp of the English language (I don't think there would be any way for non-English speakers to complete the campaign). It also makes sure you've been paying attention to all of the mechanics by throwing in a few tricky puzzles right at the end. Typoman: Revised is a notable improvement over the original game and will be especially endearing for gamers who have a love of the English language.