Oddsparks - An Automation Adventure is a superb simulation and adventure game that'll make Pikmin fans and factory makers impressed.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown is a superb strategy game thanks to its uniqueness and rewarding sense of challenge.

If it didn't have such poor performance issues, I'd easily say that owning DORONKO WANKO is a must due to its downright hilarious gameplay.

Discounty is a mostly fun and simple shop sim with an intriguing air of mystery around your purpose for moving to Blomkest.

Mafia: The Old Country tells a gripping character-based story that series fans will certainly love. At the same time, it doesn't do much to put itself above its predecessors but with so much variety packed in, it's still an enjoyable play.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Drag x Drive but it certainly isn't for everyone. With its unique and tactile controls and gameplay that's great fun to master, I wish there was more to it to really flesh out its clever concept.

With its variety of shoot 'em ups and cooperative arcade funfests, Toaplan Arcade Collection Vol. 1 is a superb collection that retro enthusiasts will love. Even without many extras, there are so many clever options and ways to play and it's all emulated exceptionally well.

Astral Takers provides a promising foundation and an impressive presentation but it doesn't do much to offer substantial gameplay mechanics that'll keep you wanting to play it. If there's another Takers game, I hope it at least offers some interesting character growth options.

NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound is a great modern interpretation of 2D ninja action and although it can range from tedious to frustrating at times, the core of the experience remains exciting, tight, and action-packed.

Playing Day of the Shell is super-exciting at first but after an hour or so, you'll start to realise that it's quite shallow despite its cleverness.

Assembling the solutions in Neon Noodles offers a great deal of fun, especially if you enjoy optimising things while making tweak after tweak.

Bridge Constructor Studio offers a wonderfully intuitive puzzle formula and colourful visuals that are even better via its optional VR mode.

9 Years of Shadows is a challenging and old-school Metroidvania that never ceases to impress with its varied gameplay and striking world.

GRADIUS ORIGINS is a must-have collection for any shoot 'em up fan; heck, the super-fun SALAMANDER III makes it worth the price of admission alone and when you consider just how many extras and options are packed in, you'd be silly not to get it.

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.

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.

Rogue Raccoon is a delightfully fun and adorably furry platformer but it's so ridiculously short that it's hard to fully recommend.

With its oodles of elements and adorable character art that I absolutely love, Roguematch: The Extraplanar Invasion is a wonderful game.

Listening to upbeat tunes as you complete puzzles while watching bubbly characters cheer makes Hatsune Miku Logic Paint S+ delightful.

With its many rewarding elements and intuitive gameplay, Achilles: Survivor makes for a great cathartic game to wind down with for sure.

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.

MADO MONOGATARI: Fia and the Wondrous Academy is a whimsically charming adventure that'll make you wish you could attend its characterful academy. From its hilarious moments to its constantly rewarding tasks to tend to, it's hard not to love it.

I loved my time with Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream as it's one cleverly rewarding stealth game. With its puzzle-like scenarios and immersive atmosphere and premise, you'll love every second of playtime and think fondly back on it for years to come.

No Sleep For Kaname Date - From AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES isn't one of the best games in the series but the escape room segments are handled exceptionally well and I had great fun hanging out with the familiar characters.

Shadow Labyrinth is one of the weirdest and most unexpected games that I've ever played. Despite everything, the formula just works and the sense of satisfaction from completing its brutally tough segments and exploring its variety-filled world is superb.

Donkey Kong Bananza is one of the most unique and immensely enjoyable games that I've ever played. Plus, behind its chaotic open-ended gameplay and incredibly imaginative worlds, you'll find a lot of heart.

As a shoot 'em up enthusiast, I can easily say that Arcade Archives Super Dimension Fortress MACROSS II is a must-have for genre fans.

With a campaign that gets boring fast and gameplay that manages to be as tedious as it is frantic, it's hard to recommend this Cook Off.