Even though it can get a little repetitive, the fun and charm that fills the game will carry you on through the rough bits.

Cruis’n Blast is a fantastic trip back to the past with some modern luxuries to round out the package. This is not a game for everyone. It can be maxed out in a day and the replay comes from the enjoyment of the races and tracks themselves. If you are into that though, you will be hard-pressed to find a more polished version of an arcade racing game to date. You can feel the love from Raw Thrills past work poured into this game and I hope it eventually makes its way onto other platforms at some point. Everyone should get a chance to experience the thrill of arcade racing in its finest form.

The biggest compliment I can give is that since the Scott Pilgrim vs. The World game was delisted there has been cries for it to be put back on digital storefronts, and while that has not happened, this is an amazing replacement. It’s not necessarily what I want from a River City game, but it is definitely the direction I want to see beat ‘em ups go in. I would recommend this to anyone who has a friend to play with, but if not I would say boot up the 3DS and give the other River City games a shot (there’s three relatively new games on there). I hope WayForward gets to follow this game up so they can tweak their gameplay a bit and explore their take on the world of River City a bit more.

Overall if you want a good RPG for your Wii, and frankly who doesn't, then this is your best bet so far. Everything works great and outside of some visual deficiencies this is one solid entry to the console's library.

NHL 19 is a solid game and one that packs plenty of ways to enjoy its core mechanics. Not having played a hockey game seriously in almost two decades it feels like a really good place to step in. There is a lot to unpack here, and I had fun with more than one of the modes. It also has a great training mode for those like me who want to dig deeper into the ins and outs of the sport. EA may not tout this game as much as their other sports games, but they should. This is yet another quality pillar in the EA Sports library.

Green Hell feels like a must-play for any survival game enthusiast. Having come out in 2019 originally, I may be late to the party having just found it in 2024 with its Series X release. Its beautiful graphics, respectful depiction of native cultures, and intense survival mechanics set it apart from other games in the genre. Whether you’re a fan of Subnautica’s aquatic adventures or Ark’s dinosaur-filled landscapes, Green Hell offers a unique and unforgettable journey into the heart of the Amazon.

With greatness often comes great load times, and Lunar is no exception to that rule.

At the same time, this series is one of the best strategy RPGs I have ever played and while not as enjoyable as Awakening, it’s still a great title and worthy of the Fire Emblem name.

Dark Souls Remastered is exactly what the name implies and fans will adore it. I still suck royally at these games. I still want an easy mode so I can manage to get through them without frustration, but the game that spawned a genre is still finely crafted. The jump in framerate and added DLC make this the package to own. For new and old players this is the version to own.

Gori is a simple and stupid game, and I love it. I miss titles like this. Sometimes I just want to turn my brain off and kill a bunch of enemies. I feel like so few developers understand that above all, games are supposed to be fun. There is no deep narrative here, no lavish open world, just a handful of hours of carnage, and I couldn’t be happier.

There is a lot to love about SuperMash, and I had a blast making new games. I still pop it in even now to see what it will throw at me. I really hope the DLC delivers and it will continue to earn a spot on my hard drive. I definitely recommend this for fans of classic Nintendo and those like me who want quick and bite-sized experiences.

From its solid character customization to its strategic and enjoyable combat, it’s yet another great JRPG to grace the 3DS.

I loved this game when it was released back in the day, and I still love it today. I do wish it stuck to its initial concept throughout the entire experience, but what is here is still tense and well executed here. Pair that with the excellent updates that Nightdive is known for, and this is a game I can wholeheartedly recommend. I really appreciate the mantra of Nightdive as they continue to remaster classics from a different time, and not just the well-known ones. The Thing is an encapsulation of gaming during the PS2 era, and I am all here for it.

Still, when it’s all said and done, Tales of Symphonia is a classic that I’m sure many have missed due it being exclusively on the Gamecube in the States, and this is the perfect opportunity to check it out in its definitive form.

Spelunky 2 is likely to delight those who revere its predecessor. As for newcomers, a whole new world of curiosity, frustration, rage quitting, perseverance and reward awaits. This is a game that may be a challenge to get into for some, but sooner rather than later determination to succeed will likely evolve into devotion. This will be a game that will always encourage players to come back for more.

Marvel Puzzle Quest: Dark Reign for Xbox One may be late to the party, but there has never been a better time to jump in. For players who have already treaded these waters, there isn’t much here for a revisit, but if this is your first time, it is well worth the investment. With tons to unlock and great core game play, this is one puzzle game I can see myself sinking plenty of time into before all is said and done.

Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate earns the “Ultimate” in its moniker with visual and gameplay improvements as well as a wealth of additional content compared to its original counterpart on the 3DS. Whether you were first introduced to the MH series with Worlds or you’re a long time fan that’s kept up from the beginning, there’s a lot to enjoy here. It presents some of the very best of the various generations of MH, sporting a roster of over 90 different monsters to hunt but with that history, it carries the tried and true conventions of the franchise before the fifth fleet made shore on a new world and changed everything. For better or worse, that’s for you to decide.

While there are a few missions to partake in via mission points on the map, the game really had no ultimate goal other than to grow your farm, and prosper. While it might seem a bit disappointing there isn’t anything else to the game, I’ll admit it’s a relaxing experience in a lot of ways.

If you love online shooters, need something refreshing and are willing to think outside the box; don't hesitate to pick up Starhawk. It is definitely not your standard third-person affair.

Sam & Max: Beyond Time and Space is yet another step forward in the resurrection of the adventure genre. Xbox Live owners should be reveling in the fact that they get to experience these great collections for a fraction of the original cost.

Robocop: Unfinished Business doesn’t reinvent the wheel; it just straps some spikes on it and rolls it through a burning tower full of mercs. If you loved Rogue City, this is more of what made that game so surprisingly compelling: big guns, bigger satire, and a chrome-plated hero who never forgets his humanity. It’s a shame the polish wasn’t quite there, but if you can overlook the rough edges, there’s plenty of meat on this cyborg bone.

Firefighting Simulator: Ignite isn’t going to be for everyone. If you come looking for high-octane action, you’ll probably bounce off quickly. But if you’re patient and willing to embrace its deliberate pacing, there’s a rewarding experience here. It’s niche, no doubt, but it’s a niche worth exploring.

I have said many times that I am not a big fan of these roguelite games, and while that remains true; I did enjoy all my time with Darkest Dungeon II much like I did the original. The first few runs are going to feel absolutely unfair as players will fall long before reaching the boss of an area. But there is something to be said of finally figuring out the perfect team and finding success in the ashes of defeat. I do wish this game had a campfire or some sort of checkpoint system because its not a great feeling to be hours into a run and have to start ALL over because of a small oversight. But even with these small issues I still couldn’t stop thinking about new strategies to help my heroes find success in this dark and gothic world. This is a dangerous journey, but it’s one worth taking.

It does a lot of great things and sets the template for future games. The foundation is great, and they just need to flesh out the modes in the future and fix the glitches that crop up. It feels good to have this series back, and I hope it serves as inspiration to improve Madden as well.

Fans of the sport and franchise have a lot great modes to look forward to, with not only single player races but multiplayer also. Newcomers, as long as you know what you’re getting yourself into and are willing to invest the time, you’ll be racing like the pros with ease.

THQ has put together a pretty great love letter here for old school wrestling fans, and laid down a pretty good foundation for a new series.

Section 8 is what it is, a great multi-player experience that will likely suffer more because of the community and less because of the game itself.

NHL Slapshot is a fantastic addition to the EA Sports lineup on Wii. Hopefully we will see it continue to evolve over the next few years and finally give Wii owners something to look forward to in the hockey arena.