Of course, if you do find a level to be too challenging, you can always jump online with some fellow rednecks and have a blast cooperatively. If you're looking for a fun little shooter that is not only enjoyable alone but also with some friends, you really need to check out Shoot Many Robots.

A fantastic addition to the series, and quite possibly the best football game ever created.

Rock Band truly raises the bar for the genre, and with continually updated downloadable content it's no one night stand.

MadWorld is way too violent, has way too much cursing, and the gore factor is off the chart, and boy am I glad it is. MadWorld is an amazing game that you have to experience yourself. With a solid story and simplistic and easy to learn controls, the game offers more than just shock value. This is one of the best games I have played or seen for the Wii.

Braid is the kind of game that will likely change the face of downloadable entertainment.

A fantastic addition to the series, and quite possibly the best football game ever created.

With 84 tracks on the disc, an additional 20 more coming before year's end and the gigantic amount of improvements to an already stellar game Rock Band 2 is a music game lover's dream come true.

The dialogue from Stephen Merchant, J.K. Simmons and, of course, Ellen McClain as GLaDOS steals the show. The writing is top-notch, and you will actually be upset if you miss some of the quips and humorous banter.

With over 60 different weapons and time manipulation combinations, a great score and look and some cool new gameplay elements, Sine Mora is a shoot 'em up that cannot be overlooked by any fan of the genre.

If you have played Okami before, or if you are interested in it now that the remake is here, there is no doubt in my mind, you really need to pick this game up. I usually don't say this, but this is more of an experience than it is a game. The story is charming, the visuals are beautiful, and the presentation makes me smile from ear to ear. This is one of the better HD upgrades and well worth the time and money. I can not suggest Okami enough.

Everything I loved about Hydro Thunder has returned with Hurricane and more. The fun and addicting gameplay, the huge selection of boats and courses, and the speed all make for a great day of racing. Throw in some new single player and multiplayer modes, Hydro Thunder Hurricane will keep you racing until your fingers fall off.

If you enjoyed the original game and are looking for a fighter on your new system, you can’t really go wrong here.

Bioshock Infinite is a really remarkable game. While the combat may get old at times the story never does, and I really don’t want to write anything about it, because discovering it was such a joy. Any complaints I had were immediately washed away by the game’s incredible ending, which is one of the best game endings I have ever experienced. It’s a well-polished, exceptional experience, and something that I would recommend to anyone.

Even with the disappointing multi-player this is one game you simply must own if you are a fan of the genre. I cannot stress enough how incredible the campaign of Dead Space 2 really is. If you even liked the first one, the sequel is a must own on so many levels. The tension will have you gripping the controller and sitting on the edge of your seat for its entirety.

Even with the disappointing multi-player this is one game you simply must own if you are a fan of the genre. I cannot stress enough how incredible the campaign of Dead Space 2 really is. If you even liked the first one, the sequel is a must own on so many levels. The tension will have you gripping the controller and sitting on the edge of your seat for its entirety.

Overall, I cannot stress enough that if you own a Wii, you need to own this game. It is one of the most fun, unique and charming platforming games.

With the full campaign mode taking you through different movies, the deleted scenes with their challenging levels and objectives, level creator that lets you upload and download levels online, and the local multiplayer, you have a ton of content all in a small $15 package. It really is a steal for what you're getting. The game play is fun and addicting, and the small problems I had with the first game have been ironed out completely. I highly suggest Joe Danger 2: The Movie without any doubts.

You will be hard pressed to find a better (legal) collection of Sega games in one place.

A fantastic game. The story is great and the combat has plenty of depth for any fan of RPG's. I can't recommend this game enough.

Even if you have played them already, the experience still feels fresh thanks to all the enhancements.

Halo 4 is a great return to form for the series.

For fans of the Might & Magic series, puzzle lovers, and those enamored of Puzzle Quest (in concept, gameplay, or both), I strongly recommend picking this up. Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes won't disappoint.

You will be hard pressed to find a better (legal) collection of Sega games in one place.

The racing feels so spot on, and the dynamic weather effects and track conditions really give it that authentic feel.

It may be a somewhat short experience, but there's no denying the fact that the time you do spend with the game will be a great one.

I cannot emphasize enough how great this game truly is and how much respect I have for the team to make a game that not only impresses on a technical level, but somehow manages to make playing in this overdone war fun again.

Bayonetta is the kind of game that makes me appreciate why I love videogames. It really defines a time when things were not taken too seriously and the focus was more on style and gameplay than anything else. The outlandish boss battles and over-the-top action really make this game stand out amongst its peers.

The gurus at Atlas have once again graced us with a fantastic piece of gaming art. If you own a 3DS, then you owe it to yourself to try this great game.

Suda's crazy story actually works, and the jokes are downright funny at times.

I cannot emphasize enough how great this game truly is and how much respect I have for the team to make a game that not only impresses on a technical level, but somehow manages to make playing in this overdone war fun again.

Like the previous games before it, Dance Central 3 is just plain fun to play. Games that my entire family enjoys are rare, and it's even rarer that I enjoy playing those games on my own as well. Playing solo (with the blinds closed, of course), even on Easy, I worked up a pretty good sweat and had a blast doing it. With excellent motion recognition, a great track list and loads of multiplayer options, it remains the best dance game for Kinect.

Guerilla Games has done an amazing job of creating both a compelling campaign and a solid online component. The pacing is near perfect and the vehicle segments break up the action at just the right times.

An amazing game. I can't suggest it enough. RPG fans will fall in love with the customization of both your character and equipment, action fans will love the thought out combat and fantasy fans will love the lore and story.

For new players, the systems in Hitman can take some getting used to. Once acclimated, my only real problem was deciding how I wanted to take out my target. With the incredible number of options, it's possible to play the same level multiple times, in a completely different way each time. Add to that the user created challenges, and the result is a fun game that has tons of replay value. With five difficulty settings, the game will appeal to both hardcore stealth fans and casual gamers alike, and it's a terrific package that anyone can enjoy.

Saints Row The Third surprised the heck out of me. The GTA comparisons are inevitable, but they are vastly different games. While both hold a mirror up to reality, the reflections are vastly different. As absurd as GTA gets, it still keeps one foot firmly planted in reality. Saints Row has taken a flying leap off the roof of reality, howling the F-bomb while chugging a licensed energy drink all the way down… and I wouldn't have it any other way.

An incredibly fun experience that fans of the series will have a blast with. The new diversions and ridiculousness like Professor Genki's stuff just appeals to the crowd. Never once will you take this game seriously, and you shouldn't, but when it grabs you it never lets go until you are simply done having fun. I was never frustrated at the game. If I failed a mission I simply went back in and did something more bizarre, which is the beauty of Saints Row. As long as you know that going in, you will have a blast. I can't recommend this game enough, though. It simply defines what it means to have fun playing games.

A must buy for any baseball fan. It is up there with some of the best baseball games of all time, and is one that deserves to go on your shelf. Sony literally hit it out of the park this year.

While it stuck to what Empire: Total War did and didn't come up with a lot of new things, it was still a lot of fun to play. If you have the dough, you should pick this up.

BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger is the type of game fans usually get only once a generation. The sheer amount of passion and care that was taken to ensure balance, accessibility, and enjoyment is nearly unmatched.

One of the biggest highlights is the voice acting. With a slew of games having a great voice-acting cast, Darksiders is up there with the best.

The bottom line is that every PS3 owning baseball fan should reserve a spot on their shelf for this no doubt first ballot Hall of Famer.

Saints Row 2 is the type of game soccer Moms will scream about. Why, I'm sure I don't know because it is clearly not for kids. Silly, Outrageous, Profane, Excessively Violent, Very Naughty, and Unapologetically so. And it is a hell of a lot of fun.

A fantastic expansion pack. It shrugged off a lot of the easy game play that was introduced in the last expansion and requires you to have to work for the best gear. Add onto that quests that redefine what you should expect from an MMO, and you have a winner in my books.

My only gripe about GOW: COO is that is just too short. I completed the game on the normal difficulty in less than 5 hours on my first play through.

I would also love to see them bring back more of the unique puzzle designs featured in past games, but as a starting point, Tomb Raider is easily one of my favorite games of the year so far, and one I think deserves to be experienced by everyone. If you have a love for the series or third-person adventure games, this is a must play. Lara is back and better than ever.

One of the biggest highlights is the voice acting. With a slew of games having a great voice-acting cast, Darksiders is up there with the best.

Torchlight is what happens when developers with a passion for what they do come together. You can tell the guys and gals that made this game truly love the genre and know what makes it fun.

If you enjoy comic books or superhero games you truly need to experience this.

The sweeping changes to the games career mode, the effort put in to increasing the quality of the presentation, and the incredible in ring action add a lot to an already great experience. With such a great foundation, UFC Undisputed has established itself as the clear frontrunner in the genre.

Demon's Souls is a fantastic game, with great environments and amazing boss battles. Unfortunately, most gamers will never see most of them. The bottom line is that this game is for the hardest of the hardcore.

Fire Emblem: Awakening is one of those games to which I couldn't help but become addicted. Even as someone that has a difficult time with strategy games, I was able to see just how brilliant this game is.

Saints Row 2 is the type of game soccer Moms will scream about. Why, I'm sure I don't know because it is clearly not for kids. Silly, Outrageous, Profane, Excessively Violent, Very Naughty, and Unapologetically so. And it is a hell of a lot of fun.

For what is a very reasonable price of 800MSP, Fez is a game that will give you hours of gameplay. There are still questions unanswered, even with the collective mind of the internet, so who knows how much the game has to offer. I do know that, even now, you will get a lot of enjoyment and frustration from this game if you are at all interested in puzzles. The cuteness and originality far exceeded my first expectations, and bodes for an overall excellent game.

The sweeping changes to the games career mode, the effort put in to increasing the quality of the presentation, and the incredible in ring action add a lot to an already great experience. With such a great foundation, UFC Undisputed has established itself as the clear frontrunner in the genre.

This is one game that should be on every sports fan's shelf.

This is one game that should be on every sports fan's shelf.

If you’re into fighting games and have yet to try out KOF, you should definitely check out the Steam Edition.

Resident Evil 6 is truly one of the best experiences I have had with a game this year. It is just loaded with content, and playing co-op with a friend is definitely a blast.

BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger is the type of game fans usually get only once a generation. The sheer amount of passion and care that was taken to ensure balance, accessibility, and enjoyment is nearly unmatched.

Bionic Commando Rearmed is the epitome of how to remake a game for the next generation. If you were a fan of the original you will love the attention to detail and classically epic soundtrack. If you are new to the series you will grow to love the swinging mechanic, once you get the hang of it.

As a whole, Lair of the Shadow Broker is amazing. They mix up the pace and give the game a fresh feel, while still holding true to what makes it one of my top choices for my game of the year.

For those of you who own all the Halo 3 content, your still getting a full single player experience, and a great co-op multiplayer add-on. For the rest of us the value is only bigger, for me I got dozens of new maps, Firefight, and the story all of which have so far been a blast to play.

The epitome of how to remake a game for the next generation. If you were a fan of the original you will love the attention to detail and classically epic soundtrack. If you are new to the series you will grow to love the swinging mechanic, once you get the hang of it.

Simply put, Zuma's Revenge is a blast. While lacking the difficulty of the original's adventure mode, the score challenges, iron frog mode and boss battles more than make up for it. New mechanics and some terrific powerups combine with excellent gameplay to make a great, fast paced strategy game. The combination of simple gameplay and strategy make it a classic "just one more" game, and something all types of gamer can enjoy.

This is easily my vote for best downloadable game of the year.

With all of its improvements FIFA Soccer 09 is by far the most impressive upgrade to any sports title this year. If you are even remotely a fan of the sport FIFA 09 is a must-buy.

Metallica songs just seem to lend themselves to this type of game. The note charts are a blast and the presentation is top-notch.

With all of its improvements FIFA Soccer 09 is by far the most impressive upgrade to any sports title this year. If you are even remotely a fan of the sport FIFA 09 is a must-buy.

An interesting conundrum. For what it is it is flawless. The representation of the famous foursome is impeccable and dripping with fan service. The selection of songs is disappointing, but with future DLC you will likely be able to enjoy all of your favorite tunes for a price. Beatles fans need not even hesitate; just buy the game.

Metallica songs just seem to lend themselves to this type of game. The note charts are a blast and the presentation is top-notch.

An interesting conundrum. For what it is it is flawless. The representation of the famous foursome is impeccable and dripping with fan service. The selection of songs is disappointing, but with future DLC you will likely be able to enjoy all of your favorite tunes for a price. Beatles fans need not even hesitate; just buy the game.

Like nothing else I have played.

Dead or Alive 5 has been a long time coming, but I definitely feel it was worth it. Fans of the series are likely to be satisfied with the amount of content within. The new characters are great, the guest characters are fun and the new mechanics create a new way to play without sacrificing familiarity. This is a supremely polished title outside of the questionable online portion. Hopefully, they can clean that up shortly after launch and continue supporting it with future costume and stage DLC. This game has legs if things come together, and being a fan as long as I have I can say, it feels good to be back.

Bayonetta is the kind of game that makes me appreciate why I love videogames. It really defines a time when things were not taken too seriously and the focus was more on style and gameplay than anything else.

Fans of the series should really pick this one up, and from the stories I heard from players of the previous games, it sounds like this is one of the best ones for newcomers. I would have to agree. I had no idea how to play this game, but I was in, and addicted to the timer within an hour of booting it up for the first time. This is one Switch game I think anyone should add to their library.

Each game has a wicked atmospheric soundtrack, subtle creepy effects, and downright scary moments, though the first game will still be considered the best by many players. I personally enjoy all of them in their own way, but the gameplay and length is definitely preferred overall in Amnesia: Dark Descent. Visuals didn’t seem to get much of an upgrade from the PC but it does appear at least the first two games run at 60fps to match it.

Definitely an improvement over its already incredible lineage. The Champion mode is fantastic, and nearly worth the price of admission on its own. Couple that with the rock-solid gameplay and suite of great online modes, and you have a game that's fit for not only huge boxing fans, but anyone that likes to beat up on their friends a bit.

Fire Pro Wrestling world has so much to offer that I cannot recommend it enough. From top to bottom the game is a tremendous love letter to the sport and to its fans. Veteran players will find plenty of new content here to justify a purchase and new fans who are willing to commit to the play style the franchise demands will find a wrestling experience deeper than they can get anywhere else. With a host of additional content on the way in the form of DLC and endless combinations of matches through the incredible edit tool this game should be at the top of the purchase list for all wrestling fans.

With so much focus these days on polygons and lighting effects it is nice to see that some developers can still create a gorgeous experience using traditional methods.

I can’t stress enough how much I love the look and feel of Sunset Overdrive. The style alone was worth the price of admission. Everything about it feels fresh. It isn’t derivative of other games, even though it borrows heavily from several.

Iconoclasts is a pretty fantastic game. The story is fun and interesting, the controls are tight and near perfect, the art and animation is beautiful, and many of the puzzles and traversal are both fun and challenging at the same time. If you’re into the Metroidvania style games and don’t mind a bit of backtracking, this is the game for you. I can’t suggest it enough to fans of the classic SNES side scrolling shooters and action puzzle fans.

Definitely an improvement over its already incredible lineage. The Champion mode is fantastic, and nearly worth the price of admission on its own. Couple that with the rock-solid gameplay and suite of great online modes, and you have a game that's fit for not only huge boxing fans, but anyone that likes to beat up on their friends a bit.

It's not a difficult game, but with bolts, Zoni, Skill Points, holoplans, Constructo Mods, space missions, Trophies and Challenge Mode, there's an abundance of gameplay. It's a robust single player experience, and I particularly love that Insomniac has kept their signature Skill Points, with their own quirky requirements, separate from Trophies.

For those that own a Vita I suggest picking up Vanillaware’s entry on the machine. It is gorgeous, with stylistic and deep combat, and just plain enjoyable. Anyone clamoring for more software on Sony’s portable should look no further.

Definitely the best of the series, and easily the most streamlined of the genre. The option for importing songs is disappointing, but everything else is finally up to par with that other music game.

Hollow Knight will stick with me for a while. It blends a Metroidvania and Dark Souls in near-perfect fashion. Its tight gameplay as well as its fantastic look and music immersed me into caring about a mysterious civilization of bugs. If Soulsvainia is a new sub-genre, then count me in. Also, count me in for the next thing that Team Cherry releases.

After a long, grueling wait, the Legend of Heroes makes its triumphant return and I am more than happy to report that the wait has been worth it as Cold Steel III delivers on all fronts with improved visual fidelity, performance and a slew of meaningful new mechanics. Led by a cast of unforgettable characters and an intriguing story arc that will have you begging for more when the credits roll.

HD Remix is a superb edition of a timeless game complete with nearly flawless online gameplay.

Any fan of Enemy Unknown should pick this up without a doubt. The new upgrades are awesome and the new missions and maps keep things fresh well into the 20 hour mark. Fans of strategy games should look into this as well, as it has something for everyone.

Take my advice don’t rent this one, just go out and buy it there is enough stuff to see and do after you finish the game to keep you playing for a long time afterwards.

Ratchet and Clank is a prime example of a genre of game we don’t get too often anymore. Top that off with the fact that it is immaculately constructed and this game is a must own for every PlayStation 4 owner. Insomniac Games continues to prove why their games are always highly anticipated, and I cannot wait to see what they do next.

SMT V is a welcome return to home consoles for the series with an intriguing world to explore, filled with challenging encounters that are immensely satisfying to overcome. If not for the technical limitations of the Switch holding it back from being experienced in its best possible form, it could have been a new classic.

Mega Man 11 is exactly what I wanted from a new Mega Man game in 2018. The robot masters are fun and interesting. The stage designs are absolutely stellar, and the accessibility is incredible. Anyone can play this game and have a good time. There are so many ways to enjoy Mega Man in 2018. Capcom is on a roll lately and this gets me even more excited for the return of DMC and Resident Evil. Keep it going Capcom, now get to work on Mega Man 12.

If you’re looking for even more pinball in your life, these are some good ones to add to the collection, just keep in mind, you may want to turn the volume down unless you enjoy being annoyed.

Iki Island is a nice addition to an already amazing game. For anyone who hasn’t experienced Ghost of Tsushima you are in for a treat. For players like me returning to the world it is worthy content. The expansion can last anywhere from 5-10 hours depending on your completion mentality. It is a worthy expansion worth the price of admission and as good of an excuse as any to revisit one of the best games of last generation.

If you have a passion for action games, the Metroidvania style or just gorgeous animation in general, you need to play this game. It is definitely packed and more than worth the price of admission, and it is quite possibly my favorite XBLA game to come out this year. This is what Summer of Arcade was designed for.

For a PSP title, the game is very competent. For a simulation baseball game, you can't really beat MLB 11 The Show.

Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move is a fun, frantic puzzle game that I really enjoyed.