F1 2016 gives you even better racing than last year's version, then makes it the centre of a brilliant career mode. The handling, AI and sense of speed have never been better, while the changes to starting and the new practice goals have a major impact on the race weekend. This is an F1 game for F1 fans, but exciting enough to pull in those who'd never normally sit through qualifying. You can't really ask for more than that.
The unique colour wheel gameplay mechanic makes for an interesting twist on the classic 2D platformer too, while Hue's clever level design constantly keeps you on your toes.
Whether you're coming back to Phoenix Wright once more or are coming at it afresh, you'll have no objections to Spirit of Justice.
NBA 2K17 isn't just a great basketball game or a great sports game – it's a fantastic game, full stop.
If Supermassive could have laid off the stupid boss mechanics, this would have been a perfect VR horror game. It skilfully walks the line of tense, psychological horror and creepy, boo-scares for an experience that you won't forget for a while - in fact, we've dreamt about it. Damn those spiders.
The best thing you'll play on PS VR at launch
Lego Dimensions' Ghostbusters Story Pack is just a little bit AWESOME
Paper Mario Colour Splash might not be the Paper Mario game everyone wanted, but it's a game that oozes polish and manages to sit somewhere in a niche between RPG and adventure game. It's a memorable journey full of charm, craft, chuckles and a whole lot of paint.
The multiplayer does enough to round-out a good Gears of War package. The single-player campaign isn't the strongest in Gears' five-game history. Much as we respect the change of style and like the interplay, the characters are dull and the set-pieces not as compelling as those in the original Gears and its two sequels – or even Gears of War: Judgement for that matter.
Just when you might have expected the original Toys-to-Life franchise to be running out of steam, Activision has brought it back, revitalised and exciting. Imaginators might just be the best Skylanders yet.
Pokémon Sun and Moon is the ultimate Poké adventure. It manages to introduce a lot of new features that greatly enhance the gameplay experience, but retain enough of the original DNA to make sure it doesn't feel totally alien to players who have been Pokémon trainers since 1996.
A game so bad it'll literally make you sick
Simply because it builds on an already fantastic game, Football Manager 2017 is in itself a winner. But a lot of the new features feel a little rough around the edges. The social aspects are repetitive, the improved graphical engine disappointing and there isn't much to tempt those who don't want to sign the next 12-months away to a simulation game.
Although the road may have been initially bumpy, we've been won over by IO Interactive determination and conviction. They've managed to prove to the rest of the industry that AAA games done episodically can work, and can work incredibly well.
GTA + Saints Row 2 + hacking. What more do you want?
Super Mario Maker 3DS is a great port, with creation tools that work wonders on the touchscreen and the Challenge mode is a brilliant addition. It's only besmirched by the fact online sharing is so very limited. Perhaps with a future update? We seriously doubt it. If you've not tried Super Mario Maker on Wii U and aren't bothered by sharing your creations with the world, it's still very much worth your time.
There's something weirdly cheerful and festive about Frank's misadventures, about crafting homebrew weaponry and putting it to work. It wouldn't be a bad thing if this were the last Dead Rising, but in its own dumb way it's still more fun than it deserves to be.
Steep looks stunning and offers plenty to do and see, but unfortunately gets repetitive too quickly.
The first Mike Bithell short feels like a pleasant stretch of the grey matter, offering players a story that keeps the intrigue throughout.
While the action sequences might feel like old hat, there's no denying that Chloe and Nadine's very personal adventure will go down as one of Uncharted's best.