While it may be on the short side, I still highly recommend picking up Unmechanical Extended. Like me, you may have a really fun time with it.

SteamWorld Dig on the PS Vita and PS4 is a wonderful achievement; great game play, beautiful to look at and with a sense of humor. Bringing it to the Sony stables was a great move on the part of the developers, and one that will hopefully prove fruitful for them.

If you are remotely a fan of Dragon Age, Monster Hunter, Zelda, the Colossus games then I think you too will find some fun in Eternal Strands.

These are some really well made pinball tables wrapped around one of the best horror/sci-fi franchises ever created.

Fighting in Naruto: RoaN is such an important part of the game play that it has been given its own online modes.

To those unfamiliar with this hidden gem, Perfect Chronology represents a new chapter in your very own White Chronicle where you can return to the past with all your new experiences and finally learn that Radiant Historia is one the best JRPGs you’ve never played.

The Messenger is a horrible name for a game that pays homage to Ninja Gaiden. Don’t let the name stop you, though. This is one of the best of its type and is worth checking out. I do wish it was more widely available across consoles, but Switch and PC owners should certainly not miss this one.

Guitar Hero World Tour manages to do a lot of things very well, but the problem arises when you realize that with so many options it is hard for one of them to stand out. The song list is excellent, but suffers now because of not being backward compatible with previous games. The music studio is an excellent first effort, but hurts from sound quality and complexity.

LostWinds: Winter of the Melodias is one of the best downloadable games you will play this year. The sheer amount of detail and care poured into this title secretes from every flick of the Wii remote. The motion controls are better than most every other game on the system and the art directions is absolutely jaw-dropping at times. I cannot recommend this title enough to anyone who enjoys a solid platformer.

An immaculate piece of software (and hardware) that should at least be experienced by everyone, especially people who love playing guitar.

Forza offers a fantastic sim race experience. The deep career mode, and incredible physics engine offer a one of a kind racing experience. Not to mention the replay value of a game with this level of customization.

Most players know whether they are interested in this collection. The fans have been begging for it for years. We finally have it, and as of this writing they managed to sort out the issues with the Xbox version, so it is coming to that console next year, so it will be available on literally everything. It is impossible not to recommend this package if you have any sort of interest in fighting games. There is a reason these games are still so well revered, and this collection gives a whole new generation of players a chance to find out why.

There is plenty of content for the money, and it's different enough to allow even those with over 100 hours in Skyrim to feel refreshed. It's easily the best piece of Skyrim expansion content yet, and well worthy of $20.

Other than feeling bad about my lack of skill with the Contra series, I love this collection. I have zero nostalgia for any of these titles and they are still fantastic (if not incredibly hard). With the update that added the Japanese versions of the games I think this is a crazy bundle to pass up. Co-op, seven unique games, and plenty of challenge wrapped up into one collection. Do not skip.

Gravity Rush 2 feels as great to play as it looks. It’s a true fulfillment of a premise with tremendous potential that was previously hindered due to hardware limitations. It’s a massive improvement in every possible aspect from the original and makes a strong statement as my very first pick for a game of the year contender of 2017.

While it was nice to dig back in for a while, I have moved on to other titles now, so anyone looking for a double dip will likely not get as much mileage out of this version. For the few that have yet to play it though, you are in for a treat. The PC version is by far the best looking iteration of the game, and the amount of content packed in here will keep players occupied for months. That is of course if the online manages to get a foothold.

Valyria Chronicles remaster is an excellent addition to the PS4 library.

With over sixty playable characters, kreate-a-fighter, and all the mini-games packed in you get more than your money’s worth. MK fans will drool with delight seeing some of their favorite fighters from every game packed into one arena.

Abzu is something that was never even on my radar. Then I booted it up, and never let go. Every area was an experience, and it made an impact on me. I don’t spend my time trying to figure out what it means, I just enjoyed the ride, and it is easy to recommend. Especially to those that enjoy the idea of swimming in the depths of the ocean, and exploring the alien life found below the waves.

Circling back to the question that I pondered for all those years- with all the great new talent and abundant resources in tow, FromSoftware has brought Armored Core back in glorious fashion with their finest overall entry in the series history yet. Whether you’ve never heard of Armored Core before or are a die-hard fan that’s been waiting a decade for a new release, this mission to Rubicon 3 is one not to be missed.

In conclusion, Tekken Tag Tournament 2 for the Wii U is a fantastic fighting game, and a must buy for the new Nintendo system. This game has so much to offer, and it adds a hard-core competitive element to Nintendo gamers that have been lacking for a long time.

Super Meat Boy is a fantastic addition to the XBLA library and one of the most addictive games I have played all year.

Heroes and Castles is a phenomenal addition to any gamer’s iOS library. For the $1.99 asking price, you get a ton of content and a really unique experience.

I think the biggest standout is the atmosphere. For a game that has nearly cartoony visuals and NO gore at all (this game is rated T) it still hit those tension marks I would expect from a good horror game. I was thoroughly surprised with the entire experience and just in time for the Halloween season. This is one game that I recommend whole-heartedly for anyone looking for a good psychological horror game that focuses more on exploration and puzzles than full on combat. Don’t sleep on this one. It’s pretty great.

As a follow up to a divisive entry and as the penultimate release to the end of the Calvard Arc, Trails Beyond the Horizon had to pull out all the stops and luckily, despite a few flaws, they managed to craft an incredible build up that has me on the edge of my seat, eager to find out what happens next.

Legends is one of the last great 2D platformers, and to think we may never see a sequel simply saddens me.

That said, if you like point and click adventure games with mystery, good puzzles, humor, and a little bit of history, Broken Sword 5 is exactly what you’re looking for.

All in all, the first episode of The Walking Dead was a fantastic experience. Fans of a good narrative should look into this game, as well.

I wholeheartedly recommend.So spend!

Mad Max the game isn’t only a fantastic time, it’s a great addition to the franchise, and one of the few games that completely destroys the expectations that a movie based game has to be bad.

This is most certainly the definitive version of Disgaea 4 and a worthy addition to any JRPG fan’s collection.

Ys VIII is a marvelous game that truly deserves more attention. With my limited exposure to the series I am impressed each time I dive in. Those looking for a classic JRPG that hits all the right notes, you will be hard-pressed to find a better experience, especially on the Switch. I am glad this series is getting more exposure, and would love to see it eventually make its way onto every platform. Don’t be afraid of the number, this is a great game to dive head first into.

Flynn: Son of Crimson is just a solid game. It has all the charm I would expect from these games, but also backs it all up with tight controls and some interesting combat mechanics. Thrown in some exploration and nice upgrades in for good measure, and you have yourself a great action platformer that any fan of Shovel Knight would enjoy.

Hotline Miami is truly a unique experience packaged in a bloody mess of human skin and entrails. It’s a title that grips the player with its sharp, visceral game play and asks uncomfortable questions which there aren’t clear answers to.

This is the Call of Duty game fans have been clamoring for, and I feel sorry for the team that has to try and top it next year.

If you have any interest in logic puzzles and want to explore a pretty interesting world, the Witness is a must own.

In a world dominated by Super Smash Bro, Nickelodeon All Star Brawl 2 stands out on its own in so many great ways. If you’re like me and enjoy playing games with your kids, this game is a must buy!

The Xbox One version feels just as good as on the other platformers with no noticeable issues of concern in comparison. If there are still players that haven’t had a chance to check out Saturday Morning RPG, for the price and quality, this can’t be beat.

I can't recommend this game enough. I have loved the direction Klei has taken with their games so far. Shank was a little too much for me, even though it was such a great game. Mark of the Ninja seems to evidence refinement and growth for the studio. It has been a long time since I enjoyed a stealth game this much. The balance between risk and reward is perfectly balanced, and if you enjoy the genre, this is a must own.

You will be surprised at just how deep the combat can be, not to mention how addicting it is to get into a good 16-player skirmish over Xbox Live.

Games like Costume Quest are a breath of fresh air in a sea of FPS's and hardcore RPG's. I welcome any more games like this.

Tekken 8 is an outstanding entry into the series with a ton of content for both online and offline players. This is how you pack a game with enough content to keep players invested. The plethora of modes, customization, and superb game play create a package that any fan of the genre should not miss.

LittleBigPlanet Vita is a must own title for the platform. The series feels right at home on a handheld, and the new implementations made for this version are outstanding.

Games like Costume Quest are a breath of fresh air in a sea of FPS's and hardcore RPG's. I welcome any more games like this.

If you own a Vita, there’s really no reason why you should not have this game.

Halo 5: Guardians is a fantastic step for the series. 343 Industries proves it knows the series, and this being the first official game on the Xbox One,

MAG is yet another fantastic addition to the PlayStation 3 library and one of the most addictive online experiences I have had in quite some time.

In my humble opinion, Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days for the PSP is the definitive Disgaea portable experience. From the widescreen presentation to the sound and voice work, the PSP is the benchmark for Disgaea on the go.

Obsidian has nailed that signature crappiness that the team at South Park Studios has perfected over the years. Fans of South Park will be thrilled with almost everything here.

Axiom Verge is fantastic addition to any fan of the genre.

Easily the best flight-sim available on next-gen systems, not to mention the best the series has ever had to offer. Picture perfect controls and lush visuals make this a package that fans of the series will not want to miss.

SFVI’s launch marks an impressive effort by Capcom, having learned from previous failings and while the lackluster World Tour mode and gross battle pass stains an otherwise spotless package, it still shines brightly as the new standard for fighters to come.

If you prefer to play solo like in WoW, or WAR, then this is not going to be the game for you. But if you enjoy PVP, and grouping up with a team to take down another team then this game is meant for you. But be warned, it is very easy to lose track of time in this game as the universe is so big you will quickly find yourself saying "Just one more planet to explore…then I'll go to bed".

We’re currently at a time where remasters of classic games are becoming rather commonplace. Contrary to the practices of developers that make adjustments to the original experience to make it more palatable for the current generation, Blizzard played the role of an art restorer, being careful with their strokes to preserve the original and touching up the masterpiece known as Starcraft: Brood War in a way that is sure to garner the attention and appreciation of new fans all across the world.

Obviously, fans of Borderlands will get much more out of it, but even if you haven’t played the first person shooter RPGs, you’ll still have a great time seeing this world in the eyes of a couple of cons. It is well acted, has tons of style, and brings a great story to the table.

Clocking in at around two hours, this is the best looking, best playing and most polished game that Telltale has created to date and while it’s a bit lacking in the idea that each choice has great weight and meaning behind them, it’s still a fantastic title and a truly promising beginning for what might become Telltale’s greatest work yet.

Street Fighter X Tekken is easily the best fighting game I have played since Mortal Kombat landed last year. Sure, the story mode is a little contrived, and the gem system mildly flawed for tournament play, but the sheer amount of everything else completely outweighs it.

The lack of any online component is a heartbreaker, but one that can be overlooked if you truly enjoy the deep combat to be found within. The Quest Mode will keep you enthralled for hours on end, but not being able to put your custom fighter up against your buddies via memory card will hurt this game’s longevity.

The episode is considerably longer than the last few. I was surprised and pleased to finish the trial and find substantial head-scratchers left to solve. As with all these adventures, there's little reason to revisit them once you've finished. That's just the nature of this particular beast, though. Digest it and spend a month waiting for the next one.

There is a tremendous amount of replayability despite there only being three areas to visit. With the endgame being completing “Epilogues” which sees the book add extra modifiers to various things to make it more difficult for players I continue to have a great time with Roguebook, often getting sucked into that “one more turn” situation where an intended quick 20-minute session has turned into an hour and a half and I can think of no higher praise to give a game than to be THAT immersive.

Forza Horizon 2 is a fantastic racing game, probably the best released so far in this short-lived generation of consoles.

The game is a wonderful blend of mindbending puzzles, old school RPG combat and dungeon survival. If you're a fan of RPGs in any way, shape or form, you owe it to yourself to give this game a shot, even if it's just to see where RPGs got their start.

There’s plenty of little life improvements but to me, and I realize this is extremely biased, is where PokéMon peaked and to remake PokéMon Diamond and Pearl this well is quite something. I think it’s hard to find complaints with Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl outside of simply not liking the formula of PokéMon. There’s so much to discover and do that it comes very close to feeling like living in the world of PokéMon and I suppose that’s all I ever wanted. Let me compete with friends on whose PokéMon is the cutest, see who is the toughest, and then let us hang out in the dingy underground digging up fancy gems together. Maybe when we’re done I’ll save the world from some evil group and catch some legendary PokéMon too. It brings me back not just to my teens, but to the feeling I had when I borrowed my friend’s copy of PokéMon Red and for a game to continue this long and still hook me after all this time is more praise than I can necessarily articulate.

Super Mario 3D World was already one of the best 3D Mario games to date. Toss in some tweaks and a decent-sized expansion with new ideas and this package is a no-brainer. There is little to complain about with this latest Mario title on Switch. It is yet another must-own game for the platform. I am excited to see where Mario goes next and this is a perfect end to the 35th anniversary celebration of gaming’s first and oldest icon.

There’s plenty of little life improvements but to me, and I realize this is extremely biased, is where PokéMon peaked and to remake PokéMon Diamond and Pearl this well is quite something. I think it’s hard to find complaints with Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl outside of simply not liking the formula of PokéMon. There’s so much to discover and do that it comes very close to feeling like living in the world of PokéMon and I suppose that’s all I ever wanted. Let me compete with friends on whose PokéMon is the cutest, see who is the toughest, and then let us hang out in the dingy underground digging up fancy gems together. Maybe when we’re done I’ll save the world from some evil group and catch some legendary PokéMon too. It brings me back not just to my teens, but to the feeling I had when I borrowed my friend’s copy of PokéMon Red and for a game to continue this long and still hook me after all this time is more praise than I can necessarily articulate.

I can state without hesitation that the wait has been more than worth it. The awe-inspiring living creature that is Trico carries this title, which would have otherwise just been a good puzzle platformer into an instant classic that I’m sure to visit time and time again, just to say hello to my new best buddy, one more time.

Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth continues the proud tradition of the franchise with its stellar character customization and level designs as it poses a daunting challenge, well worth conquering- one tile at a time.

DiRT 2 is about as good of a sequel as you can ask for. It took everything that made the original so good and amplified it, while still managing to address all of the criticisms.

Alien Hominid is the epitome of what Xbox Live Arcade should be. This is one of the finest examples of the service since its inception and I cannot recommend this title enough.

A refinement of the series that further evidences why, year after year, Activision puts it on a pedestal. If you enjoy shooters, you owe it to yourself to at least give Modern Warfare a chance. If you've been on the fence because of the die-hards, this is the year to dip your toe in the water.

You'll never feel more like a badass and you'll never have a bigger smile on your face.

Any fan of AVGN should pick this one up. There is a ton of fan service, and the entire time I had a smile on my face. There were even times I was kind of shocked to see what was happening on screen. Platform fans will have a ball here too. It is a nice homage to games of the past and one that I think everyone should give a shot. It’s a great deal.

XCOM 2 does everything Enemy Unknown did and improved on it with more variations as well as some very interesting game mechanics.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection is an overdose of nostalgia for me. I grew up with TMNT constantly on the brain. These games are a treat to revisit mostly because of the quality of life updates the developers have added. I just spent an entire day digging back into all of it. Playing through both arcade games, and of course watching the video of someone beating the dam level, because I cannot do that. This collection is outstanding and I cannot wait for their release of the 50th Anniversary of Atari later this year.

LittleBigPlanet remains one of Sony's most endearing franchises and the PSP version is definitely on par with the quality of the series.

Despite some standout visuals though there’s nothing here that feels like a leap forward in gaming, and I can’t imagine the core game feeling much different had I played a last-gen version. It doesn’t tarnish the experience, but players looking for a reason to need a new console still don’t have one.

There aren’t many negatives to the entire Skyrim experience on Switch. While it doesn’t offer the recent mod support the other versions got, it still offers tons of content to experience and enjoy. The motion controls are a bit of a mixed bag, but not required at all. The game looks and runs great, and while animations are starting to show their age, there is still plenty of beauty to be found in Skyrim. As a fan of the Elder Scrolls franchise, if someone told me 6 years ago this game would go portable and with no loss to the original vision, I’d have a hard time believing it, yet here we are. If Skyrim has grown stale or doesn’t hold interest to certain players anymore, the Switch version most likely won’t do anything to win players back. Though for newcomers and fans that want to return, Skyrim is here, as a great as remembered, and grand scale adventure now in the palm of your hands.

Despite the minor flaws the game contains, this is one experience that RE fans and 3DS owners simply should not miss.

Fans that may have fallen off in recent years will find plenty to come back to with this iteration. There is so much improvement it is impossible to list it all here without sounding like a press release.

The journey through the Metro is more than worth the price of admission, plus the visuals are great at showcasing the new hardware. I am really looking forward to what 4A Games has in store next.

Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak offers new content that is not only impressive in scale but also in its quality. While there are some notable elements like difficulty in searching for multiplayer games and afflicted variations being a bit over tuned holds it back from being a perfect expansion, the positives very easily outweigh the negatives.

The content packed into this cart is impressive. The story mode is deep, the fighting is tight and the visuals are gorgeous. The game also packs enough new material to make it worth checking out as a double dip for fans.

There is a ton to see and do in Nier: Automata. Talking about much of it does it a disservice to the player. Don’t think about it. The game is finally on Xbox One. The more platforms the merrier. Perhaps one day Switch owners will get to experience it as well. This is a once-in-a-generation type experience. Go buy this game. Play it multiple times. It is worth every second of investment and I enjoyed pounding through all the endings for a second time. Somehow it was even better.

This is the RPG that fans have been waiting for! If you love the Final Fantasy brand, but don’t own a Playstation system then this one is for you.

Dragon Age: Origins has sucked me in more than most other games this year. I find myself thinking about the game when not playing it, imagining other scenarios and different ways that situations could play out.

The question you should be asking yourself isn’t “should I play Disgaea D2” but rather, “do I have the balls and time to play such a crazy game?”. The answer may surprise you.

There isn’t much wrong with Original Sin outside of the fact that there simply may be too much of it. In a time when games are releasing on a weekly basis, this is a daunting experience that requires the utmost dedication. Still, for anyone who loves the turn-based genre, it doesn’t get much better than this.

Trails from Zero is a wonderful introduction to Crosbell and the charming members of the SSS, expertly ported to PC with all the bells and whistles one would expect from a modern release. It’s a great sign of things to come for the sequel and an easy recommendation to all RPG fans.

One area Twisted Pixel always excels is writing and humor. Their games are genuinely funny, and Ms. Splosion Man continues that trend, even if it does rely too much on female stereotypes.

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is a fitting swan song for the Switch as its last major exclusive release and showcases just what it takes for a game to truly earn the title of “Definitive Edition”.

It is a surprisingly competent shooter that breaks the mold, both stylistically and thematically from other titles in the genre. The added single player components and all around improvements make this a worthy sequel that no one should miss.

Unconventional and beautiful, Valkyria Chronicles delivers a game that is both deep and whimsical.

The tactics and strategies devised are simply amazing, and truly speak to the balance for which the series has become known. Heart of the Swarm delivers plenty to give players a swift kick in the pants, especially thanks to the nuances delivered by the new units.

If you’re into fighting games and have a PS4, this is a no-brainer. It is a must have.

3DS owners looking for a new RPG to dig into will find a fantastic one here.

Even though I still want Capcom to go the distance and really take the remastered Ace Attorney games to the next level by adding some level of VOs, the effort put into this remaster impressed me more than their previous attempts. As the games have aged very well, I’m just glad that all those that skipped Ace Attorney Investigations games or missed out of its sequel due to lack of official localization will now have the chance to experience a wonderful story that deserves to be remembered.

For the most part, version 2 is as good as version 1.

For only $9 on Steam, there is a fun, charming and thought out game to be had in Go Home Dinosaurs. Tower defense fans should not miss it, and it’s so simplistic that almost anyone can pick the game and have a blast with it. I strongly suggest picking this game up. After all, there’s barbeque to be saved.