There is enough new content and features to make it stand up as a game on its own. It is a pleasure to play, and addictive too, although playing for too long at a time can lead to levels of epic frustration.

The Top 40 music game is actually long overdue and I don't think it would be any more sensible to make this entire thing DLC as it would require people only wanting these songs to purchase both the original game and an entirely new pack.

The simplistic swing mechanic hasn’t changed much, but what is here works flawlessly.

The new features are certainly welcome, and the track list is solid.

Mana Khemia 2: Fall of Alchemy continues the NIS tradition of solid RPG love with a quirky twist. If you enjoyed the first game then the second one will truly impress thanks to all of its improvements over the original. However, if you were not a fan then the improvements may not be enough to sway your opinion.

I have to admit that I was really surprised by this game. Something that, on the surface, looks low budget and boring turned out to be packed with quality gameplay and top notch features. For such a cheap price, Time Machine Rogue Pilot is a game not to be underestimated.

The gameplay is fun and mixes it up at the right moments, giving it great pacing, and as a whole all of the parts come together for a solid experience. It may not be perfect, and there may be some technical aspects that aren't up to par, but Mafia II is a game worthy of your time and attention.

As a whole, I really was impressed by this game.

The gameplay is fun and mixes it up at the right moments, giving it great pacing, and as a whole all of the parts come together for a solid experience. It may not be perfect, and there may be some technical aspects that aren't up to par, but Mafia II is a game worthy of your time and attention.

Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm is easily the best entry in the series to date. The fighting mechanics are simple and fun and the visuals are absolutely astonishing to look at.

Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny is quite possibly the best portable fighting game I have ever played. The only thing it suffers from is its inability to differentiate itself from its console brethren.

Scrabble for XBLA is a solid purchase, and probably the best addition to Family Game Night thus far. If you are a fan of the board game there is little reason not to snag this incredibly addiction, and online capable incarnation.

The exclusion of Global Conquest mode from the PC does not help the idea of choosing this version over its Windows counterpart, but if you enjoyed Tiberium Wars on 360 than you will likely find the same satisfaction here.

As far as Xbox Live Arcade titles are concerned The Maw is one of the brightest to come along in quite some time. The concept is fresh, the visuals are stunning and the pacing is nearly flawless.

Meteos Wars is an excellent addition to the XBLA family and a delightful treat for fans of Q Entertainment in general. While it does suffer from transition issues to a traditional control scheme you can easily adjust to it after less than an hour.

Enemy Territory: Quake Wars is the kind of shooter that will garner a cult following and be loved by all who take the time to learn all of what it has to offer.

The World Tour Mode and Band Survival offer more than enough challenge for the music fanatic on-the-go and the track listing is great granted you don't mind a lot of repeat tracks. Lack of multi-player is this game's biggest downfall, and one that will ultimately decide it's fate in the months to come.

Enemy Territory: Quake Wars is the kind of shooter that will garner a cult following and be loved by all who take the time to learn all of what it has to offer.

Age of Booty is a multi-player affair so much in fact that you should not look at the challenges in the game as a single-player component.

Yet another fantastic update to a classic franchise from Capcom.

In the day and age where DLC is sometimes criticized because it could actually have been included in the retail disc, it is nice to see some substantial content for a game that already came packed with so much.

Another fantastic update to a classic franchise from Capcom.

Titans of the Tide is a very competent platformer that is further enhanced if you are a fan of SpongeBob and his cohorts. I had a great time even without in-depth knowledge of the show. It plays well, looks great, and is genuinely hilarious at times. We need these types of games, and I am glad SpongeBob continues to carry that torch. For the price, this is more than worth your time.

Ultimately, if you as a player thought you were going to enjoy Blast Brigade vs The Evil Legion of Dr. Cread based off seeing various forms of media, then you should go pick it up right now. It is a rewarding adventure and certainly one of the better Metroidvania games that have come out recently; and that’s taking into account my issues with the platforming and the pacing issues. With an art style that invokes memories of Saturday morning cartoons with my younger brother, and a dash of 80’s action movies; Blast Brigade vs The Evil Legion of Dr. Cread is the mash-up I never knew I wanted. With its rewarding exploration, thoughtful map design and some genuinely funny writing; Blast Brigade manages to shine bright in a field already crowded with stars.

Even though it may be a rather short experience, and the controls can be rather tiresome, I can’t really downplay Evoland. The satire on the entire evolution of games and the comical use of RPG tropes had me playing and smiling throughout my experience. For only $10, you get a rather charming title that never overstays its welcome. I was hoping for more by the end, but it didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the overall experience.

Sure, it didn't make Spike's VGA list, but Escape from Adventure Island is a hit with its target audience. Rest assured, your 5-9 year old will enjoy the game - and the learning.

Clocking in at around six hours with dozens of cyber unlockables hidden away waiting to be found and giant cyber bosses just begging to be cut down, this cyber ninja comes out slicing and dicing in his return to the proverbial cyber stage.

Taking Tower Defense to a playful and portable level, Ninjatown is more fun than a plateful of ninja cookies. The succinct levels make for great bite-sized portable portions of gameplay, and the ninja antics will have you gobbling it up.

Overall, I felt OlliOlli was quite addictive and fun to play, and while I’m not the type of person to try to always go for the high score, it had me pondering, “I could get a better score than this” and going back to a previously completed stage.

Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth is a pretty good game overall, while its story is simple and its gameplay not terribly difficult most experienced gamers can knock it out in 7 hours or so. The game boasts some great graphics due to the awesome sprite work, and it has an extremely catchy soundtrack; which is always a nice bonus. I think Team Ladybug managed to put out a game that has something for quite a varied audience. Those that are fans of the novels or anime series will surely find something to love, but those of us who enjoy ‘metoridvania’ type games will find a lot to appreciate as well; and who knows maybe even turn the next generation of fans onto Record of Lodoss War as a whole.

Volgarr the Viking is a brutal throwback to classic game design. Those wanting a challenge and who don’t mind repetition should not miss this.

If you love the idea of post-apocalyptic worlds with a new spin on the traditional idea I recommend picking this up. If you have the patience to get past the annoying parts this is definitely a diamond in the rough.

A great revival of a classic franchise. If you were a fan then there is no reason to pass up on this offering as it brings just enough to the table to make it worth your while. The lack of online is easily the biggest setback and makes you wonder how such an imperative feature was left out.

Monster Train 2 is a truly enjoyable experience that feels like the developers have successfully built upon it upon its predecessor’s foundation. Even though it took me a few runs to really get a handle on all the systems at play, once I did I was ‘full-steam ahead’ (these train puns doing it for you?). The new clans, strategic depth, and progression system are all a reason for any fan of the rogue-like deck-builders to try this game. Not to mention the banging soundtrack, some bright and colorful art for the cards and enemies and Monster Train 2 feels like a perfectly blended match made in heaven.

The Monster World collection isn't for everyone – people who like side scrolling action RPGs will enjoy Monster World IV but may be put off by the slow pace of the other two games. It's a nice package though, and a great way to enjoy some older games. For fans of the series, Monster World IV is probably worth 800 points alone; the two other games and the trials mode is just the icing on the cake.

Duke Nukem 3D is a classic, but after the disappointment of Duke Nukem Forever, I am ready for a truly next generation of the series. I grew up on its lame humor and ridiculous settings. I want a proper sequel so I can once again make those alien bastards pay for shooting up my ride.

While the story is a bit too predictable for my tastes, everything from the visuals to the combat felt very polished from beginning to end. It’s quite unfortunate that this is likely the last game Imageepoch will release, but perhaps they will rest well knowing that they went out on a high note.

The new Reflex controls are great once you get used to them, but they also alienate the casual audience by making the game a bit more demanding than some gamers are willing to put up with. Still if you have enjoyed the series you know what to expect here.

Luigi’s Mansion 3 is far and away the best entry in the series. It uses a familiar formula with a unique twist to create a single player adventure worthy of the quality we come to expect from Nintendo’s first party lineup. The stellar animation and presentation are unmatched, and the addition of co-op play is a huge bonus. Nintendo continues to deliver exemplary titles for its newest console. It almost feels like they can do no wrong on Switch. Yet another game that Switch owners should not miss out on.

It’s not the longest or the most in depth RPG, but for the price, the theme, and unique style, Hard West is clearly worth your time in gold and offers a fairly authentic western experience, well besides the demon and supernatural overtones that is

Dragonkin: The Banished is a good ARPG that occasionally hints at being a great one. Its progression systems show genuine creativity, and the combat is satisfying enough to keep players pushing forward. At the same time, the game struggles to fully distinguish itself from the heavy hitters that dominate the genre. That being said though, I really think this is one dragon hunt worth undertaking.

If there is a guide on how to make a sequel, Pandemic read every chapter a dozen times. Taking everything that made the first game good, taking out everything that held it back, and adding just enough to make it fresh is certainly a recipe for success.

Hopefully when the next iteration arrives we can finally see a graphical upgrade worthy of calling it next-gen.

The Foundation is a great expansion that I had to wait too long to play. I really hate timed exclusive content, and especially DLC. If not for a review code I might have passed on this simply because Control was so far out of my mind at this point. I am glad that is not the case, and if you are like me forgot this existed, it is time to remember. I cannot wait for the second pack and to once again return to the Oldest House to learn more about the Bureau.

Coming in at 19.99, this is a collection that man Mega Man fans will surely want to add to their collection. It’s a great spot to have all 4 of these titles in one place, and fairly accurate to their original releases. Some new players might be off put by the jump in quality between the older and newer games in the pack, or even the difficulty some of these provide, but for the price, it’s a nice little package to have.

As the follow up to the worst game in this long running series, D7 had a lot of work cut out for it. Thankfully, the team at NIS was up to the task and addressed most of the issues, putting together a welcome package to remind me why I loved the series in the first place. While there are still some improvements to be made, I’m more than happy to report this is certainly a much needed course correction for the series at large.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is a game that is worth its price tag and so much more. It will take gamers months to finish all it has to offer. Pick up the season pass and likely have dozens of more hours to play. It is a massive game and something that feels like a swan song before another two-year hiatus for the series. I feel like they threw too much into the mix this time though. I could literally wonder around for 1-2 hours and do absolutely nothing, while I could also spend two hours just navigating through menus to upgrade and plan. There is a lot here, so for those that love the new direction of Assassin’s Creed, this is the game you need to buy this holiday season.

The imbalanced matches overrun with bots are my primary issue with the multiplayer, and a related (in my opinion lesser) snag is inconsistent communication.

Marvel’s Midnight Suns is a game that will demand your time and attention, its not a quick experience but it is just that, an experience one that is nicely balanced in its fantastic story and above average action for a perfect melding of what makes superheroes so cool to being with.

Aside from the small issues I had, one of which made me upset, I still enjoyed my time with the game. So much that I played halfway through it, stopped, convinced my wife to join me since she liked Until Dawn, and then played through it again. Oh, and my wife and I are wanting to play through it again to try out the opposite decisions. I still find Until Dawn an overall better experience, but The Quarry is a fun time especially with some friends arguing what we need to do in a situation.

As someone who only came to the Yakuza games when Zero was released, getting the chance to play the whole series now is something that really appeals. The narrative in these games may not differ too much from one another, but it is more than made up with the varied and entertaining cast. Kiryu’s Yakuza with a heart personality really stands out and only made me love him even more, especially when he was being an unstoppable fighting machine.

I highly suggest fans of games like Pikmin and Lemmings to download the demo and give it a whirl. There is enough addiction here to warrant the price tag. Much like Super Meat Boy and Trials HD, this is one game that can have you replaying levels over and over again just to better your score. And that is a sign of fantastic game design.

Lost in Nightmares is a great start and it was fun getting back into RE5 after so much time away from last year’s game. I look forward to the next chapter and hope the price point is just as nice.

Firewatch left me both disappointed but also pleased. The system performance on PS4 is a bummer and I can overlook it, as this is a game about its story and choices in dialog, so performance never affected my input to the gameplay. It just simply feels rough around the edges and it shows.

The Evil Within did a fantastic job of bringing the true terror and stress of the genre back into light, and this first DLC pack offers up some new spin on the game itself.

I highly suggest fans of games like Pikmin and Lemmings to download the demo and give it a whirl. There is enough addiction here to warrant the price tag. Much like Super Meat Boy and Trials HD, this is one game that can have you replaying levels over and over again just to better your score. And that is a sign of fantastic game design.

Pragmata is an interesting game that sometimes overcomplicates or oversimplifies its mechanics and setting. I really enjoyed my time with the game, but I’m not sure it will stick with me over time. There were moments where I thought it was outstanding, while other times it was just another space shooter. That is probably its biggest flaw. The pacing of the fun is too uneven and could have benefitted from better pacing.

If you don't enjoy old-school looks, repetitive gaming and blips for music, then you obviously aren't the one this game is aimed at. However, if those things give you goose bumps and memories of beating up the same enemy over and over then Scott Pilgrim is your game.

Horizon Zero Dawn is a game Sony really wants you to love. This update is technically impressive on every level. The upgrade price is fair, and kudos to Nixxes for not just upping the resolution and framerate, there is a TON of work done here around the entire world. If you enjoy Aloy’s adventures, this is a no-brainer.

If you don't enjoy old-school looks, repetitive gaming and blips for music, then you obviously aren't the one this game is aimed at. However, if those things give you goose bumps and memories of beating up the same enemy over and over then Scott Pilgrim is your game.

Overall, the Metal Gear Solid collection is a really nice portable version of two of the most compelling and cinematic games ever. If you are a fan and own a PSVita, then you may enjoy reliving some of the saga on the go. However, for those of you who have never played a Metal Gear game, pick this up if you love deep stories, incredible cinematic cut-scenes, complete thematic insanity, and the thrill of surviving by your wits.

If you enjoy JRPGs (which this is not), fantasy, manga, and digging up things then this just might be up your alley. The game has a 16-bit era look to it and is just busting with nostalgia for gamers such as myself.

Death Stranding is a weird game that I could not stop thinking about while reviewing it. It has plenty of sluggishness to it. Sometimes I never wanted to play it again, but once that back half hit I was enthralled. There were times I couldn’t wait to play it. I spent over 50 hours in this game and eventually I want to spend more. Kojima and his team have crafted something that truly feels unique, for better or worse. It is hard to compare it to anything else, but that doesn’t always mean it was fun. Not everyone will adore this game, but I guarantee no one will ever be able to forget it either.

This “late-to-the-party” edition is chock full of enough extra content to make the wait worthwhile, and if you have already seen all Bullworth has to offer on the PS2 there is enough here to at least warrant a rental.

If you're expecting a heavy storyline with complicated characters, Over the Hedge is not your cup o' tea…it's a morality tale, the good guys are good, the bad guys are bad…and a happy ending is inevitable.

Even with room to improve, The Show 12 for the Vita is the best portable sports game I've ever played, and it should be in every baseball fan's library.

So, the big question is whether this is worth revisiting with the HD collection with the original already existing. For me it is a mixed bag. I loved revisiting this absolute classic. The new visuals really do look amazing, and the minor quality of life improvements make it easier to just enjoy the game. Still, I would have loved to see so much more included or updated.

Overall, this table is really well done, and worth the two dollars and fifty cents for those Zen Pinball fans looking for more time to sink in and I am sure the trend will continue, as Zen Studios looks like they are showing no signs of stopping.

Ikari Warriors is a fantastic port of a classic game. It looks and feels the same as the original did, and is something of a bargain for the price they are asking for it. If, like so many others nowadays, you like your games a little retro, you really can't go wrong here.

Fans of the original should definitely not miss this, and those who still love the twitch feel of old-school PC FPS should definitely give it a whirl.

Harley Quinn's Revenge is definitely a solid package for fans of Arkham City. Jumping back into this world really made me appreciate just how good the game actually is. Fleshing out the characters and giving gamers a chance to play as Robin are also really nice touches.

For only $2.99, you get a rather enjoyable shoot 'em up that you can play on your big screen, or take it with you, on the go. The controls are spot on, and because you have unlimited continues, you always feel like you're progressing. For the price, if you're looking for a decent old school shooter, I'd say give it a shot.

If you have never played the series, Shank 2 is the perfect jumping off point. For the price, the content is more than worth it, and you will be hard-pressed to find a more gorgeous 2D game on the service. Shank 2 is a great game that fans of classic side-scrolling action titles will not want to miss.

The Shift mechanic is definitely something that changes the game.

Snake Pass is a unique experience and a throwback to classic puzzle/platform games of yesteryear. It is a genre lost in time, and I am thrilled to be seeing a resurgence this year. For the price it is hard not to recommend Snake Pass. It is unique, fun, colorful, and challenging. Definitely worth checking out, even in this blizzard of awesome games hitting already in 2017.

the majority of my time with the game was stimulating and enjoyable. Hours flew by and it was hard at times to find a stopping place – there was always some project that I needed, and wanted to get done. Prison Architect allows for freedom and creativity with its deep simulation systems and the multitude of player options. Players may become surprisingly invested in their prison and in their prisoners, something that can only be achieved by letting them mess with every small detail.

Blade Strangers is a fine fighting game. It has a simple mindset, but a very complex nature that allows the newcomers to pop in and have a fun time learning the ins and outs while veterans can dive deep into the systems and have just as much fun. It is a fast and nimble fighting game with a lot of flashy combos that fans of the genre can appreciate. I can only hope that this niche fighter will gather a player base. Until then, casual fighting game fans may want to find a deal on this one, but those of you that are looking for a novelty fighting game with some interesting characters will have a fun time here.

A really fun game. It plays like Shuffle Board but uses the Sorry state of mind.

If you own a Wii U, it is definitely worth checking out, if for nothing more than the smile it will put on your face, the entire time you play it.

While it may not be completely sure whether it wants to be a solid single player experience or a multi affair, what is here is solid. As long as you know what you are getting into before diving in, you won't be disappointed.

If you were a fan of the WWE from 1997 through 1999, you owe it to yourself to check out WWE 13 out for the Attitude era mode and Superstars. It's an incredibly nostalgic trip through an awesome period in the industry's history. Current fans of the WWE will also find a lot to like here, from the huge roster to the cavernous depths of the creation system. If you are willing to look past the issues, you'll find a lot of fun to be had with WWE '13. Regardless of the future of the WWE license, there is some great single player content here to build on.

There were a few technical glitches, but nothing game breaking. It feels like the best B-tier platforming game I have played in a long time, and doesn’t feel as dated as I expected it to. I think fans of SpongeBob, parents, and fans of 3D platformers should really think about getting this game. It’s a lot of fun and it’s being released at a discount price, which is crazy because it’s clear Purple Lamp Studios has put a ton of work into this remake. It’s probably one of the best ways a person looking to just have some fun can spend $30.

The Psych Ward DLC ($3.99 separately) allows the intake of criminally insane individuals as well as the opportunity to hire Psychiatrists to assist them. These prisoners bring in as much money as the “normal” maximum security prisoners. The included DLC obviously makes for better value, but not by a considerably margin. If the base game price dips in any meaningful way, then that is the way to go.

I’m a huge zombie fan and have been for years. I never thought I’d get to see a game combine these two elements together to include an extremely humorous tale.

This is still the same great Arkham City we played last year, but the new gimmicks, weird visual issues and glitches make it truly an inferior version when compared to the others. I really wish they had put more thought into how to implement the touch screen into the mix, because as it stands, it is more hindrance than help.

Yes these games are products of their time, but I adore seeing them return in 2018. For those that have fond memories these are a no-brainer. My one gripe is that the price of $20 feels a bit much. I would have liked to see them both bundled for that price. Still I can’t stay away. Returning to Turok feels so good. Now if only we could get a remaster of Shadow of Oblivion, or even better, a brand new game in the franchise.

All day and a Night ($9.99), adds 8 new wardens, 8 new prison maps, and 8 new plots of land for prison building. Each warden has a unique perk and the prison maps are premade prisons that a player can takeover. The included DLC obviously makes for better value, but not by a considerably margin. If the base game price dips in any meaningful way, then that is the way to go.

Madden NFL 18 makes steps forward, but also lacks any meaningful changes to my favorite mode, which is Franchise. Longshot fell short for me, and I would really love to see a more defined Be A Player mode. Even with that said I will still sink another 60+ hours into this game because of my love of the sport. The refinements are enough to keep me interested, and the new engine makes the game look glorious. I really hope franchise sees a major overhaul next year, but for now I am happy to be plowing through defenses with Marshawn Lynch and dropping dimes with Derek Carr.

I really enjoyed my time with Mages of Mystralia. It’s a neat little game that has a lot of heart. There are a few issues here and there, but nothing that really bogged down the experience for me. The presentation is stellar, and me being a video game music fan I found the soundtrack alone worth the price of admission. It helps out a lot that the puzzles and abilities feel rewarding and fun to use. I would suggest picking this game up for anyone that enjoys an action adventure game with some puzzle solving thrown in. It’s a pretty great time.

Yes these games are products of their time, but I adore seeing them return in 2018. For those that have fond memories these are a no-brainer. My one gripe is that the price of $20 feels a bit much. I would have liked to see them both bundled for that price. Still I can’t stay away. Returning to Turok feels so good. Now if only we could get a remaster of Shadow of Oblivion, or even better, a brand new game in the franchise.

For $20, Alien Rage is a rather fun little experience. It has its moments of frustration with the difficulty, but the weapons and score-based mechanics really make it shine over other titles in the genre. The multiplayer is surprisingly fun, and many FPS fans will find a lot of enjoyment out of the entire package. I suggest giving it a try if you enjoy arcade style first-person action.

SNK 40th Anniversary Collection is by far my favorite collection of classic titles. The fact that they are on Switch and available on-the-go is a major plus. Throw in the jump-in moments and watch mode on top of more free games down the road makes this a must-own for Switch owners.

While there are not a lot of upgrades to the games themselves, this collection accomplishes what it set out to do. This package is convenient. We can finally have these games in one place on modern consoles and readily available to play. I think that is something we overlook with some remasters. Being able to just play them without jumping through hoops to get them to work. The price seems steep upfront, but there are five games and tons of variations included. There is a lot of content here and for hardcore MGS fans like me, it is great having all this in one place. I am loving revisiting these games and cannot wait for Vol. 2, please let MGS 4 finally be released from its one console prison.

Brave is a delightful game that was more fun than it should have been. I am really starting to enjoy reviewing these games, as developers get to toss in new ideas on licensed products, and apparently get time to actually craft a fun experience. If you enjoy the movie or the lore, I highly recommend checking this game out. It is truly one of the best licensed games I have played in a while. It may be short, but you and whomever you choose to play it with young or old, will undoubtedly have a great time with it.

Stardust Galaxy Warriors is an exceptional title in an underappreciated genre. Anyone who remotely enjoys shmups should not miss out on this.

The game screams of style and has the gameplay to back it up. With the recent announcement of a co-op DLC campaign I am stoked to return to this twisted locale.

Even with its notable flaws, my time with Beatbuddy was mostly positive. When I was in the groove, bobbing my head and solving puzzles the time seemed to fade away… to the beat of the music.

The Top 40 music game is actually long overdue and I don't think it would be any more sensible to make this entire thing DLC as it would require people only wanting these songs to purchase both the original game and an entirely new pack.